Ardahan has a 3000-year-history. Is was named after Arda Turks which are the branch of Khazars in B.C 628. In B.C 1068, Ardahan was conquered by Alparslan and prevailed by Seljukians. By Amasya Agreement signed on 29 May 1555, it was included into Ottoman Empire’s territory by Sultan Suleyman, the Magnificant. By Amasya Agreement signed on 29 May 1555, it was included into Ottoman Empire’s territory. And Çıldır which is a district of Ardahan now once became one of the states of Ottoman Empire. After the Georgia conquer of Czar Paul in 1800, Russian became neighbor with Ottomans.

Ardahan was saved from enemy occupation on 23 February 1921 by the troop which was lead by Kazım Karabekir Pasha and Halit Pasha with National Council Government. Following the include of Ardahan into national territory, it became Governorship in 7 July 1921. It stayed as a district depending on Kars for 66 years and it gained the status of province on 27 May 1992 and under the law no. 3806.