Davit Bek Դավիթ Բեկ | |
|---|---|
 A monument to Davit Bek in Kapan | |
| Born | unknown date in the 17th century |
| Died | 1728 |
| Years of service | 1722–1728 |
| Rank | Supreme commander |
Davit Bek or David Beg (Armenian: Դավիթ Բէկ (classical) Դավիթ Բեկ (reformed); died 1728) was an Armenian military commander and the leader of an Armenian rebellion against the invading Ottoman Empire and implanted Safavid Muslim tribes in the mountainous region of Zangezur (today the Armenian province of Syunik and part of the province of Vayots Dzor). He was one of the most prominent military figures of the Armenian liberation movement of the 18th century.
After the fall of the Safavids in 1722, Davit Bek established himself as the military leader of the local Armenians of Syunik and Kapan during the Ottoman Turkish invasion and the attacks of the local Muslim tribes.[1] Davit was successful in preventing the various Muslim tribes from making proper territorial gains. In 1727, in order to put a halt to the Ottoman approach in the area, King Tahmasp II of Iran appointed Davit as the governor of the area, and gave him the right to administer the area as a vassal Armenian principality under Iranian control.[2][3] Following his death in 1728, he was succeeded by his comrade-in-arms Mkhitar Sparapet as the leader of Armenian forces in Zangezur.
- ^ Adalian 2010, pp. 250–251.
- ^ Adalian 2010, pp. xlv, 250–251.
- ^ Nalbandian 1963, p. 23.