Thomas de Waal, a British writer and journalist specializing in the Caucasus, wishing to clarify the origin of Hasan-Jalal-Dawla, King of Artsakh and Prince of Princes (1214–1261), wrote a letter to Robert Hewsen, a professor at Rowan College in New Jersey, USA, and a specialist in 13th-century Caucasus history.
On January 10, 2001, Professor R. Hewsen sent a detailed reply to Thomas de Waal. Having examined the genealogy of Hasan-Jalal-Dawla, the scholar concluded that it is exclusively Armenian, writing in this regard, in particular: “[Hasan-Jalal’s] descent can be traced back to the fourth century and involves the following houses: In the male line, (1) the princes (who later became kings) of Siunik. Through various princesses, who married his ancestors, Hasan-Jalal was descended from (2) the kings of Armenia or the Bagratuni dynasty, centered at Ani; (3) the Armenian kings of Vaspurakan of the Artsuni dynasty, centered in the region of Van; (4) the princes of Gardman”.
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In view of the quoted statement by Professor R. Hewsen, we can assert that Hasan-Jalal-Dawla is ethnically Armenian.
Stepan HASAN-JALALYAN
political scientist
