Assyrians, Kurds, and Ottomans: Intercommunal Relations on the Pe ...

Chapter 12

Tekhoma: The Last Assyrian Independent Province

1. On the Eve of the Massacres

Tekhoma, the second largest district of the Assyrian tribes, was not seriously affected by the massacre of 1843. However, the conditions were changed during the autumn of 1846, both internally and regionally. Bedr Khan’s invasion of the other Assyrian provinces in 1843 had ended the independence of their tribes. After the subjection of Tiyari, the Turks had nothing to worry about in the region except the two remaining independent centres of the Bohtan Kurds under the leadership of Bedr Khan Beg and the Assyrian tribes of Tekhoma. The Turks were now poised to achieve their goal, since Bedr Khan Beg was at their disposal to finish the job for them.

Until the fall of 1846, the inhabitants of Tekhoma were keen to maintain good relations with both Bedr Khan and Noor Allah Beg. Nevertheless a western visitor in 1846 reported on the conditions of the inhabitants and their readiness to defend their province.