Village guards of Artsakh, 1918–1921

According to the source, the photograph shows Armenian village guards of Artsakh in 1918–1921. In the political instability that followed the First World War, the Armenians of Artsakh had to organise themselves to protect their villages and families. The guards were mostly peaceful villagers who had taken up arms for self-defence.

The photograph shows three men in fur hats and high boots. They wear bandoliers on their chests, each holds a rifle, and a sword hangs from the belt of the man in the middle. A stone wall and leafless trees can be seen behind them.