Battle of Echmiadzin (1804)

Battle of Echmiadzin
Part of the Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813

Russian plan illustrating Tsitsianov's report of the battle at Echmiadzin
DateJune 1804
Location
Echmiadzin, Qajar Iran (present-day Vagharshapat, Armenia)[a]
Belligerents
Russia Russian Empire Qajar Iran
Commanders and leaders
Pavel Tsitsianov Abbas Mirza
Fath-Ali Shah Qajar
Strength
5,000[1] 20,000[1]

The Battle of Echmiadzin took place in June 1804, during the Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813. A Russian force of 5,000 men under Pavel Tsitsianov advanced on Erivan. An Iranian army of 20,000 under Crown-Prince Abbas Mirza met him at Echmiadzin. Cutting off the Russian's supplies the Iranians successfully defended the town and forced the Russians to withdraw. Though the Russians were unable to capture Echmiadzin, the outcome of the battle itself has been variously described as inconclusive,[2][3] an Iranian victory,[4][5] or a Russian victory.[6]


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  1. ^ a b Tucker 2010, p. 1036.
  2. ^ Atkin 1980, p. 76. "After some battles around the monastery of Echmiadzin in which there was no clear victory for either side, both armies turned their attention to Yerevan City (...)"
  3. ^ Cronin 2013 "After an inconclusive encounter at Uch Kelisa (Echmiadzin), the Russians laid siege to Iravan accompanied by heavy bombardment (...)"
  4. ^ Tucker 2010. "The able Abbas Mirza with 20,000 men forces the Russian army of 5,000 men led by General Paul Tsitsianov (Sisianoff) to withdraw. The Persian army then disbands for the winter."
  5. ^ Atkin 1980, p. 120 "His first objective was the Armenian religious center at Echmiadzin, where he encountered Abbas's army of 18,000. While the Russian artillery inflicted heavy damage, the Iranians showed that they were effective soldiers in their own way. The battle was an Iranian victory in that the Russians failed to take the monastery and had to withdraw."
  6. ^ Mikaberidze, Alexander, ed. (2011). Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World: A Historical Encyclopedia (Vol. 1). ABC-CLIO. p. 764. ISBN 978-1598843378. (...) while Tsitsianov scored a victory over Iran's Crown Prince Abbas Mirza not far from the Echmiadzin Monastery (near Erivan) on (...)