The Heroism of Rind’s Messengers: An Episode from the Heroic Past of 1918

Historical records often reveal details that allow us to rediscover our native village and the spirit of its people. Today, we look back at the events of February 1918, as recorded in the pages of the Van-based newspaper “Ashkhatank” (Labor).

Historical Context At the beginning of 1918, on the path to restoring Armenian statehood, every settlement held strategic importance. In the February 24 issue of “Ashkhatank” (N81), a remarkable report was published regarding the movement of armed groups led by commanders Khachik Khranian and Mesrop Janoian. Their route stretched from Nakhichevan to Yerevan, and Rind was one of the vital milestones along that journey.

Rind: An Unyielding Outpost The newspaper correspondent describes the state of the village as of February 11. During those days, when relations with surrounding Turkish settlements were extremely strained, Rind stood as a self-organized and resilient unit: “…leaving on Feb. 11, they passed through the Armenian village of Rind. Tense relations between Armenians and Turks prevail everywhere, and despite the Armenians being isolated, their morale and spirit remain high.”

The Messengers’ Combat Operation The most notable episode is the involvement of Rind’s messengers in ensuring security. When the group had to pass through the villages of Kozirja and Chiva—notorious for bandit attacks—the people of Rind took charge of the escort. Led by messenger Garegin Sharoyan, the armed men from Rind displayed exceptional courage. When Turkish forces opened fire along the road, the Assyrian soldiers within the group began to retreat. However, the situation was saved by the messengers from Rind and Khranian’s comrades-in-arms, Martiros and Grigor. They not only turned back those who were fleeing but also took positions from the rear and delivered precise strikes against the opponent. As a result, the enemy lost four men and fled, while the Armenian group reached its destination without any losses.

Significance of This Account This historical passage proves three key points:

1. Strategic Position: Rind was a crucial transit point on the Nakhichevan-Yerevan road.

2. High Self-Awareness: Even in isolation, the village maintained a formidable fighting spirit.

3. Military Readiness: The village had its own armed messengers capable of protecting not only their settlement but also supporting other military units.

Such stories remind us of how deep the roots of our community’s resilience truly are.