Aram Manukian - Early Years

Early Years

Manukian was born in the village of Zeyva (modern-day David Bek) in the province of Elizavetpol, Russian Empire (modern-day Kapan region of Armenia). In 1903, he became involved in the defense of Gandzak and Kars, operations led by the ARF. In the autumn of 1904, he made his first visit to Van via Iran, where he promoted reform. In 1911, he travelled to Geneva where he spent a year before returning to Van, where he became the leader of the ARF in the region. In Van, he took an active role in the Armenian community by teaching at schools, communicating with the press, encouraging national establishments and promoting Armenian youth circles. He became a suspect in the murder of Bedros Kapamajian after a fellow Armenian accused him of the crime and was jailed by Ottoman officials. After attaining freedom, he travelled from Erzurum to Ordu as a teacher and activist organizer. With the beginning of World War I and the Armenian Genocide, he headed back to the city of Van. In 1915, he managed and led the successful Van Resistance against Ottoman authorities. With the Armenian victory, he was appointed as governor of Vaspurakan, which became a short-lived independent city.