AN ATTEMPT TO STUDY THE HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF THE SEVEN-YEAR KHARAJ IN THE EPIC "SASNA TSRER"

Abstract

The subject of this article is the seven-year tribute of kharaj, levied from residens of Sasun by order of Msra Melik in the epic "Sasna Tsrer". The latter ,most likely, has a historical basis and is connected with the treaty signed in 652 between the Armenian prince Theodore Rshtuni and Assurian governor Muawiya Ibn Aby Sufyan. The article briefly examines the Arab invasions of Armenia in the second half of the 7th century, the struggle and polifical activities the prince Theodore Rshtuni.The article analyzes the rebellions that broce out in Sasun  and Taron in the 9th century against the tax policy of the Arab Caliphate, based on informarion provided by Armenian and Arab historians, which were reflected in the epic.Caliph Jafar Mutawakkil demanded taxes from Bagarat Bagratuni, the prince of Sasun and Taron and sent his taxcollectors there. In parallel with all this, the episodes of the epic are illuminated  by emphasizing the terms of treaty of 652 according to which the Armenians were exempted from paying taxes to the Caliphate for 3 years. The purpose of the article is topresent the observations and analysis of a number of Armenian researches and historians regarding rhe date of signing of the treaty and the revision of the condition of Armenians being exempt from taxes for 3 years, placing it not within 3 years, but within 7 years. And based on these observations, it can be arqued, that the mention in the epic of the Armenians not paying tribute of kharaj to Msra Melik for 7 years is a historical memory of the terms of treaty of 652.