Dargeçit is a district of Mardin province in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Dargeçit, one of the important centers of Upper Mesopotamia, stands out with its historical and cultural richness. The blending of traces of civilizations from pre-Christian and post-Christian periods with Turkish-Islamic culture has made the district a unique synthesis center. The district, with an area of approximately 550 km², stands out with its natural beauties, historical texture, and multicultural past.
History
The history of Dargeçit extends to very old periods and bears the traces of different communities such as Assyrians, Armenians, and Kurds living in the region. The oldest documents available belong to the periods of Assyrian King Adad Nirari I and his son Shalmaneser I. The region referred to as “Kaşairi Mountains” during this period denotes the area around Mardin-Dargeçit. Furthermore, in cuneiform tablets and Byzantine-Roman sources, the southern slopes of the district are called “İzala.” Greek writers Arrianus and Ptolemy mention the geography between Mardin and Dargeçit as “Mount Masios” in the 2nd century BC. In the 4th century AD, the historian Ammianus Marcellinus from Antioch also mentions this region, which shows how deep-rooted the history of Dargeçit is.
With the migration of Turks from Central Asia to Anatolia, the history of Dargeçit entered a new phase. Communities such as the Hittites (Eti Turks) and Mitanni passed through the region, engaging in agriculture and animal husbandry, and settling on the fertile lands. Later, the "guest Turks" dominated the region and maintained their presence for centuries. Between 500-1000 BC, the region was invaded by various peoples such as the Macedonians, Persians, and Romans, especially becoming a populated settlement during the Seleucid period. Christianity was influential in the region until the 5th century AD, but with the spread of Islam in the 7th century, Arab armies under the command of Khalid ibn al-Walid conquered the region. During the Abbasid period, in the time of Harun al-Rashid, Dargeçit and its surrounding villages were established.
After the collapse of the Great Seljuk Empire in the 10th century, the Artuqids dominated the region, and during the reign of Melik Sökmen (12th century), they became influential in a wide area from Aleppo to Mosul. In 1401, with Timur's invasion of Mardin, Artuqid rule ended, but the region was freed in exchange for taxes. Dargeçit was a sub-district (nahiye) of Mardin's Midyat district until 1986, and gained district status in 1987 with law number 3392.
The multi-religious structure of the region is noteworthy. Assyrians, who became acquainted with Christianity during the Samanid period in the 4th century AD, adopted this faith; Kurds mostly adhered to the Zoroastrian faith and accepted Islam with the arrival of Arabs in the region. Muslims, Christians (Orthodox and Catholic), and Yazidis lived together, but today, only a Muslim population resides in the district. According to legend, the first settlers in Dargeçit were the Mardokelis, an Assyrian family. Dargeçit, which was a town of 500 families in the early 1900s, suffered population loss due to the economic depression after World War I and Assyrian migrations.
Geographical Structure
Dargeçit is a district of Mardin province, located in the south of the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Its area is approximately 550 km², and its average elevation is 900 meters. To the east of the district is Güçlükonak district of Şırnak, to the west is Midyat, to the north is Gercüş district of Batman, and to the south is İdil district of Şırnak. Situated between 37-38 north parallels and 41-42 east meridians, Dargeçit is one of the most mountainous and rugged areas of the region. The highest point of the district is Site Mountain, located in the northeast.
Dargeçit's forest presence is quite limited. Most of its land consists of areas with acorn and oak trees that have lost their forest characteristics due to human destruction. Although measures have been taken against this destruction in recent years, forest remnants are limited to only oak and acorn trees. The Tigris River passes 10-12 km away from the district, near Ilısu Village. Additionally, there is a seasonal stream flowing between Akyol and Belen villages; this stream overflows in winter, but its waters decrease in summer and are used for irrigated agriculture. Underground waters emerging in the Kuyubaşı area are also utilized for agriculture. There are no natural lakes in the district; in some villages, drinking water is obtained from wells where rainwater collects.
Gülbiş is an important picnic area in the district and includes a forested pool. In the past, the water needs of the district center were met by channels from the spring at the source, and five watermills built by Assyrians were located on these channels. However, due to insufficient water, these mills have closed, and their remains can be seen today. Looking at the land distribution, the total area of the district is 1000 km², with field land covering 15,865 hectares, vegetable land 562 hectares, orchards 3,411 hectares, meadow-pasture 145,205 hectares, groves-forests 140,756 hectares, unsuitable land for agriculture 140,756 hectares, and unused land 39,601 hectares.
Climate and Vegetation
A continental climate prevails in Dargeçit. Summers are hot and dry, winters are cold and rainy. Winds generally blow from the east and southeast. Winter and spring seasons are rainy. The vegetation is limited due to the decrease in the region's forest presence. Oak and acorn trees are the main elements of the district's vegetation. Human destruction has caused the extensive disappearance of forested areas, but efforts are being made to protect these areas in recent years.
Social Structure
Dargeçit has historically had a multicultural and multi-religious social structure. Muslims, Christians (Syriac Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant), and Yazidis lived together, but today only a Muslim population resides in the district. The district includes 36 villages, 26 hamlets, and two towns, Kılavuz and Sümer. The district center consists of the neighborhoods of Saray, Safa, Tepebaşı, and Bahçebaşı, and houses a total of 2300 households.
Syriac Ancient Churches are important legacies of the district's past Christian population. Arbaye Mor Sabo Church (ruined), Arbaye Mor Gevargis Church (closed), Kerboran Central Virgin Mary Church (closed), Mor Kuruyakos Church (open), Bethil Church (closed), Syriac Catholic and Protestant churches (closed), and Armenian Churches reflect the district's religious diversity. Additionally, Syriac Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, and Armenian cemeteries are also present.
Economic Structure
Dargeçit's economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The Tigris River and seasonal streams support irrigated agriculture. Underground waters emerging in Kuyubaşı are also used for agriculture. Field lands, vegetable, and fruit gardens contribute to the district's agricultural production. However, the decrease in forests and the presence of land unsuitable for agriculture limit economic activities. Animal husbandry, especially small ruminant animal breeding, is an important source of income in the district. In the past, watermills were part of economic activities, but today these structures have lost their function.
Tourism Potential
Dargeçit has tourism potential with its historical and natural beauties. Gülbiş, with its forested pool, is an ideal picnic area and attracts visitors. Syriac churches and cemeteries are important tourist elements reflecting the district's multi-religious past. Structures like Mor Kuruyakos Church, which are open, are valuable for cultural tourism. The area around Ilısu Village, where the Tigris River flows, is suitable for nature tourism with its natural beauties. However, developing the district's tourism infrastructure could enable better utilization of this potential.
Demographic Structure
The population of Dargeçit, according to the 2011 general census, is 27,573. Of this, 14,689 live in the district center, and 12,884 live in towns and villages. According to 2013 data, the population is 28,891, with 49.55% being male (14,315) and 50.45% female (14,576). In 1990, the total population was recorded as 29,600 (17,000 male, 12,600 female), in 1997 as 26,011 (de facto) and 26,497 (de jure), and in 2000 as 26,240. Migration from villages to the district center after 1990 increased the central population. While the district historically had both Muslim and Christian populations living together, today only Muslims reside there. Dargeçit is one of the important districts of Southeastern Anatolia with its historical depth, geographical location, and cultural richness. However, economic and infrastructural development could better reveal the district's potential.
