Bitlis Vilayet

The province of Bitlis vilayet of Bitlis, or, (Armenian Բիթլիսի վիլայեթ ) was one of the six Armenian vilayets of the Ottoman Empire.

History

As an administrative province of Bitlis was formed after the Russo -Turkish War of 1877-1878. Previously, it was part of the Sanjak of Muş within the vilayets of Erzurum.

Population

Still in the year 1878 to 1879 had the vilayet of Bitlis had a total population of 400,000 inhabitants, of whom 200,000 were Armenians.

In the year 1914 309.999 inhabitants were already Muslim and only 117 492 Armenians.