While Armenians were a significant ethnic population in the multicultural Ottoman Empire, they were second-class citizens under the rule of Islamic law. Though they were able to practice Christianity freely, they had to pay extra taxes and faced restrictive, discriminatory laws. For example, they could not carry weapons, ride horses or even give their testimony in court. However, many Armenians held influential positions in foreign and domestic trade, industrial production, and banking. For example, the Armenians from the province of Mamuret-ül-aziz/Harput/Kharberd were well known for their craftsmanship, agriculture, and trade.
Following April 1915, orders from the Ottoman government forced Armenians to leave their homes and relocate. Armenians were sent on deportation routes, which became death marches. Families were separated, many were killed or died of starvation, disease or other forms of extreme violence and unsanitary conditions. The destination of these death marches were the deserts of Syria.
Watch testimony from Anna Tashjian who remembers being separated from her family and the harsh conditions on deportation routes.
About the Interviewee
Anna Tashjian was born in the city of Elâzığ in the Mamuret-ül-aziz/Harput/Kharberd province. Her birth year is unknown. Anna was interviewed by the Armenian Film Foundation on Sep 25, 1983, in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts (United States).