Kurdish Nationalism: 1830-1930

2. Ibid, It is important to note here that Sasuni cites the terms of the treaty from a

Hoyboun (Kurdish National Organization, or Committee for Kurdish Independence) publication.

About the same treaty also see: Sasuni, Kurt Azgayin Sharzhumnere

Ev Hay Krtakan Haraberutiunnere, Hamazkaine Press, Beirut, 1969, pp.38-39.

1. Leo, Hayotz Patmutiun, Vol. III, Erevan, 1946, p. 178.

Here, the famous Armenian Historian analyzes why the Ottoman Sultan was showing a friendly attitude toward the Kurdish princes. It was through such policies that the sultan was able to bring the popular Kurdish Mulla Idris of Bitlis to his camp. Mulla Idris worked ardently for the Ottoman cause; accepted bribes; with his furious religious speeches motivated thousands of Kurds to come and live in the northern areas of Lake Van (thus overlapping land which were historically Armenian); thus securing the border against any Persian intervention.

In a similar fashion, a Kurdish author, Makhmutov, adds that the Kurds who were living in Erzerum and Van were actually from Diarbekir. They had migrated to those areas because of Mulla Idris’s motivational tactics. According to Makhmutov, “Mulla Idris did accomplish Turkish policies even at the expense of his own people, the Kurds.”

N. Makhmutov Kh., Kurt Zhoghovurte, Haybed Hrad Press, Erevan, 1959, p.

4. Sasuni, “Kurderu Eva Hayeru Azatagrakan,” p.

SECTION II

5. Gerard, Chaliand, Ed., People without a Country: The Kurds and Kurdistan,

Zed Press, London, 1980, p. 26.

The quotation is from Kendal, whose paper appears in the above-mentioned volume, with the title “The Kurds Under Ottoman Rule.”

1. Ibid, p. 27.
2. Ibid, p. 27. Also see:

Arshak, Safrastian, Kurds And Kurdistan, Harvic Press, London, 1948, p. 52.

1. Chaliand, People Without, p. 27. Also see:

Sasuni, Kurt Azgayin Sharzhumnere, pp. 86-89.

1. In 1839 the Ottomans suffered a serious defeat at Nazib (in Syria) against the forces

of Ibrahim Pasha, son of Egypt’s viceroy, Mohamed Ali.

1. Chaliand, People Without, p. 29. Also see:

Safrastian, Kurds and Kurdistan, p.

1. Chaliand, People Without, p. 29. Also see:

Sydney, Fisher N., The Middle East: A History, New York, 1965, p. 331.

1. Sasuni, Kurt Azgayin, pp. 101-103.

According to Makhmutov, Amir Bedir Khan did not enjoy friendly relations

with the Christians living in his domain. Makhmutov implies directly that the Amir had no intention of establishing any friendly relations with those Christians. In this author’s opinion, such an analysis is vague and confusing. The mere fact that Bedir Khan intended to establish communications with Russia and Georgia necessitated that he create friendly ties with his Armenian, Assyrian, Nestorian and other Christian subjects, even if he was not sincere in his intentions. It follows that Armenians even participated in his army (although in very small numbers).