David-Bek

Date of birth unknown; died 1728. One of the prominent figures in the Armenian liberation movement against the Iranian and Turkish conquerors.

From 1722 to 1725 he headed the armed struggle of the Kapanskii Armenians against Iran, which resulted in the almost complete expulsion of the Persians from eastern Armenia. In 1726–28 the Armenians under David-Bek’s leadership battled against the Turks who had sought to capture Transcaucasia.