Hovhannes Hakhverdyan was born in Saint Petersburg on 29 July 1873 in an Armenian noble family.

He graduated from the 1st Cadet Corps of Saint Peterburg in 1890, the 1st Military Pavlov School in 1892 and the Nikolaev Academy of Joint Staff in 1902.

After switching allegiance to the Republic of Armenia, Hakhverdyan was appointed Minister of Defense in the cabinet of Hovhannes Katchaznouni on 30 June 1918.

[1] He was not member of any political party and was supported by most of the powers as a professional and fair candidate for the Defense Minister position.

[2] During the Soviet invasion in December 1920, he was arrested with about 1,500 Armenia officers, including Tovmas Nazarbekian and Movses Silikyan.