The Melikdom of Kashatagh was founded at the end of the 15th century by Melik Haykaz I, also the founder of the Melik-Haykazyan dynasty (the youngest branch of the Armenian princely dynasty of Proshyan). Previously, the Kashatagh region was first ruled by the Orbelian family, and then by the Shahurnetsi clan.[5] Haykaz I was succeeded by his son, Hakhnazar I, who died in 1551. Hakhnazar's grave survived until the 1930s.[6]
One of the ancient residences of the Kashatagh meliks is located in Khnatsakh and contains the partially ruined palace of Melik Hakhnazar I.[3][4] Another palace of Melik Haykaz I,[7] built in the late 15th century, is located close to the village of Melikashen (today Hüsülü), near the Tsitsernavank Monastery.[4]
The names of Melik Hakhhnazar and his brother Haykaz (who is also mentioned in the document of 1691/92 as one of the witnesses) are part of the 1682 inscription on the facade of the entrance to the Church of the Holy Virgin in the village of Mirik.[6]
^ abКристине Костикян «Քաշաթաղի 17-րդ դարի պատմությանը վերաբերող մի փաստաթուղթ» (Документ относящийся к истории Кашатага в 17 веке) из «Страны и народы Ближнего Среднего Востока. Том XX», стр. 168—171. Институт востоковедения Национальной Академии наук Армении; Ереван, 2001.
