In 1828, after the Russo-Persian War, the region of Gegharkunin - as a part of the Erivan Khanate - was handed over to the Russian Empire as a result of the Treaty of Turkmenchay signed on 21 February 1828.
After the independence of Armenia in, the town was renamed Gavar in 1995 and became the provincial centre of the newly established Gegharkunik Province.