Garegin Njdeh

Njdeh - Great Armenian Hero

(Armenian: Գարեգին Նժդեհ, real name Garegin Ter-Harutiunian, 1 January 1886 - late 1955) was an Armenian statesman, military, and political thinker, native of Nakhichevan. A member of the Dashnak party, he was involved in revolutionary activities in Armenia, Bulgaria and Russia.

In 1912, together with General Andranik Ozanian he formed an Armenian battalion to fight against the Turks in the Balkan war. Later, moving back to Armenia, Njdeh commanded different military units. He played a key role in organizing the defense of Karakilis (today Vanadzor) in 1918. A convinced Anti-Bolshevik, he led the defense of Zangezur in 1921.

Following the declaration of independence of Zangezur from the Soviet Armenia, he was proclaimed Prime-Minister and Minister of Defense. He fled Armenia after the triumph of Bolsheviks, and was involved in patriotic activities in Iran, Bulgaria and USA.

A controversial figure, he was expelled from the Dashnak party. A staunch Anti-Communist, he came to collaborate with Nazi Germans during WWII. He was arrested in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1944 and sent to Moscow, then to Yerevan, then to Vladimir, where he died in prison.

Quotes from Garegin Njdeh

“Armenia! He who did not know how to die for you in your hour of
need and who will not want to die for you tomorrow – is not your
son, is not an Armenian!”

“Nations that are unwilling to defend their own interests condemn
themselves to death.”

“To struggle in defense of what is right is not a calamity but a blessing.”

“Why did I fight against the Soviet Army?! Because they invaded my country alongside with the Turks.”

“Anti Dashnak is the amputated hand of the Armenian by which the enemy gives the Armenian a slap in the face.”