Armenians in India

{{Short description|Ethnic group in India}} {{Multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=December 2013}} {{Lead too short|date=November 2023}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2014}} {{Infobox ethnic group | group = Armenians in India | image = Armenian Christmas 1.jpg | image_caption = Armenian Christmas at [[Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth]], [[Kolkata]] | popplace = [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Bangalore]], [[New Delhi]], [[Surat]], [[Chennai]], [[Kochi]] | pop = 426 (2011)<ref>[Armenian Church of Kolkata](https://www.armeniancollege.org.in/)</ref> | langs = ''' Currently spoken:''' <br/> [[Languages of India|Various Indian languages]] and [[Indian English|English]] <br/> ''' Traditional:''' <br/>[[Armenian language|Armenian]] | rels = [[Christianity]] ([[Armenian Apostolic Church]]) | related-c = [[Armenian diaspora]] }} {{Armenians}} The association of [[Armenians]] with [[India]] and the presence of '''Armenians in India''' dates back over a millennium, and there has been a mutual [[economic]] and [[cultural]] association of Armenians with India.<ref name=arm1/><ref name=hindu/> Today there are about a hundred, most of whom currently live in or around [[Kolkata]].

==History== [[File:The tomb of Rezabeebeh.jpg|thumb|175px|Located in an Armenian Church, the oldest Christian tombstone in Calcutta belongs to Rezabeebeh, who died on 11 July 1630.]] {{see also|Hinduism in Armenia|}}

The earliest documented references to the mutual relationship of Armenians and Indians are found in the ''[[Cyropaedia]]'', an [[ancient Greece|ancient Greek]] work by [[Xenophon]] (430 BC – 355 BC). These references indicate that several Armenians traveled to India.<ref name=arm1>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070320082701/http://www.indianembassy.am/eng/india_arm_partners.html India and Armenia Partners - Embassy of India in Armenia [ENG]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Maclagan |first=E. D. |date=July 1938 |title=Armenians in India from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. By Mesrovb Jacob Seth. 8½ × 5, pp. xv + 629. Calcutta: Published by the Author, 1937. Rs. 10 or 15''s''. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0035869x00077947 |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society |volume=70 |issue=3 |pages=446–447 |doi=10.1017/s0035869x00077947 |issn=1356-1863|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

An archive directory (published 1956) in [[Delhi]], India states that an Armenian merchant and diplomat named [[Thomas of Cana]] had reached the [[Malabar Coast]] in 780 using the overland route.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/merchants-on-a-mission/article4970153.ece|author=Anusha Parthasarathy|title=Merchants on a mission|date=30 July 2013|access-date=25 December 2013|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu}}</ref> [[File:King Gurgin Khan.jpg|thumb|Miniature painting of [[Gurgin Khan (Bengal)|Gurgin Khan]], the Armenian general of [[Mir Qasim|Nawab Mir Qasim]], seated smoking on a terrace, with two servants, ca.1760–63]] [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] and the [[Safavid Empire|Safavid]] imperial conquests of the [[Armenian highlands]] in the 15th century meant that many Armenians dispersed across theses empires, with some eventually reaching [[North India]], which was ruled by the [[Mughal Empire]] (Northern India).{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} During the reign of the Mughal emperor [[Akbar]], Armenians—such as Akbar's third wife [[Mariam-uz-Zamani]] and [[Abdul Hai (chief justice)|Chief Justice Abdul Hai]]—gained prestige in the empire. While Armenians gained prestige serving as governors and generals elsewhere in the empire, such as [[Delhi]], [[Lahore]], and [[Bengal]], they lived in enclosed colonies and established churches.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Armenians in India, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day|last=Seth|first=Mesrovb Jacob|year=1895|publisher=Gorgias Press |isbn=1593330499}}</ref> Armenians worked as merchants, gunsmiths, gunners, priests and mercenaries for some of the Islamic rulers in India, with many noted to have served in the armies of various [[nawab]]s in Bengal and Punjab, such as Khojah Petrus Nicholas and [[Gurgin Khan (Bengal)|Gurgin Khan]].<ref name=":0" />

Thomas of Cana was an affluent merchant dealing chiefly in [[spice]]s and [[muslin]]s. He was also instrumental in obtaining a [[decree]], inscribed on a [[intaglio printing|copperplate]], from the [[Chera dynasty]] of the [[Malabar Coast]], which conferred several [[commerce|commercial]], [[social]] and [[religious]] privileges for the [[Saint Thomas Christians]]. In current local references, Thomas of Cana is known as "Knayi Thomman" or "Kanaj Tomma" "Thomas the merchant".<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last1=Poghosyan |first1=Mari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ItjwEAAAQBAJ |title=Armenian Legacy in India: Chronicles deciphering Indian and Armenian Cultural Legacies |last2=Madanmohan |first2=Dr Prashant |date=2023-09-29 |publisher=Cognishift |language=en}}</ref>

Centuries later, an additional incentive for Armenian settlements in India was an Armenian agreement with the [[British East India Company]]. A [[New Julfa|Julfan]] merchant named Khoja Panos Calendar (Ghandalarian), resident in London at the time, signed the treaty on behalf of the “Armenian Nation” on June 22, 1688.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aslanian |first1=Sebouh |title=“The Salt in a Merchant's Letter”: The Culture of Julfan Correspondence in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean |journal=Journal of World History |date=2008 |volume=19 |issue=2 |page=135 |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/244448 |issn=1527-8050}}</ref> Competing with the Portuguese and the French, the British sought to enhance the Armenian presence in India. The agreement granted special trading privileges to the Armenians, as well as equal rights with British subjects regarding freedom of residence, travel, religion, and unrestricted access to civil offices.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Aslanian |first=Sebouh |title=Julfa v. Armenians in India |journal=Encyclopaedia Iranica |year=2009 |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/julfa-v-armenians-in-india/ |accessdate=2025-11-04 }}</ref>

Due to Armenians not having a country of their own, the colonial powers of Europe massively favored trading with Armenians compared to their European counterparts during the age of mercantilism. Most notably, they became an intermediary between the Spaniards and the English. Armenians were known for their honesty.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1525/9780520947573/html|doi = 10.1525/9780520947573|title = From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean|year = 2011|last1 = Aslanian|first1 = Sebouh|isbn = 9780520947573}}</ref> Hence, it made them a great candidate to become international traders. Armenians grew to be very wealthy in India; due to their wealth, they established their own settlements in various Indian cities where they constructed their churches, newspaper publications, and even the first-ever Armenian constitution was written in Madras, India, 1773, by [[Shahamir Shahamirian]], 14 years before the American constitution was written. The Armenian trade network stretched from Manila all the way to Amsterdam but Armenian traders were most successful in India.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BlreO8bmK30C&q=armenians+in+india&pg=PA1|title = Armenians in India, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day: A Work of Original Research|isbn = 9788120608122|last1 = Seth|first1 = Mesrovb Jacob|year = 1983 | publisher=Asian Educational Services }}</ref>

===Former settlements=== {{Unreferenced section|date=October 2019}} {{see also|Armenian cemetery in Hyderabad}} [[File:Dutch Cemetery of Surat.jpg|thumb|Dutch-Armenian Cemetery of [[Surat]]]] [[File:Armenian Jew and child (of Calcutta).jpg|thumb|200px|An Armenian Jew, photographed in the Bourne and Shepherd Calcutta studio]]

Several centuries of presence of Armenians resulted in the emergence of a number of several large and small Armenian settlements in several places in India, including [[Agra]], [[Surat]], [[Mumbai]], [[Kanpur]], [[Chinsurah]], [[Chandernagore]], [[Calcutta]], Saidabad, a [[suburb]] of [[Murshidabad]], [[Chennai]], [[Gwalior]], [[Lucknow]], and several other locations currently in the [[Republic of India]]. [[Lahore]] and [[Dhaka]] – currently respectively in [[Pakistan]] and [[Bangladesh]], – but, earlier part of [[Undivided India]], and [[Kabul]], [[Capital (political)|capital]] of [[Afghanistan]], also had an Armenian population. There were also many [[Armenians in Burma]] and [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Armenians in Myanmar (Burma) – Armenian community history |url=https://www.lostfootsteps.org/en/history/the-armenian-community-of-myanmar |website=Lost Footsteps |accessdate=2025-11-04}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |title=Southeast Asia – Armenian Street Foundation |url=https://www.armenianstreet.org/southeast-asia |website=Armenian Street Foundation |accessdate=2025-11-04}}</ref>

===Agra=== Akbar (1556–1605), the Mughal emperor, invited Armenians to settle in [[Agra]] in the 16th century,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/julfa-v-armenians-in-india|title=Julfa v. Armenians in India|website=www.iranicaonline.org|access-date=2019-07-07}}</ref> and by the middle of the 19th century, Agra had a sizeable Armenian population. By an imperial decree, Armenian merchants were exempted from paying taxes on the merchandise imported and exported by them, and they were also allowed to move around in the areas of the Mughal Empire where entry of [[Alien (law)|foreigner]]s was otherwise prohibited. However, for the Armenians, who were recognized by the emperors for their innovative skills, earned their exceptional status in India. In 1562, an Armenian Church was constructed in Agra.<ref name=":1" />

===Murshidabad=== [[Aurangzeb]] (1658–1707), the Mughal emperor, issued a decree which allowed Armenians to form a settlement in Saidabad, a [[suburb]] of [[Murshidabad]], then the capital of the [[subah]] (province) of Bengal. The imperial decree had also reduced the [[tax]] from 5% to 3.5% on two major items traded by them, namely piece goods and [[raw silk]]. The decree further stipulated that the [[estate (law)|estate]] of deceased Armenians would pass on to the Armenian community. By the middle of the 18th century, Armenians had become a vibrant and active merchant community in Bengal. In 1758, Armenians had built a church in Saidabad's Khan market.<ref>{{cite web |title=Armenians in Saidabad – Armenians in India |url=https://armenianchurchindia.com/armenians-in-saidabad/ |website=Armenians in India |accessdate=2025-11-04 }}</ref>

===Surat=== Armenian gravestones from the 16th and 17th centuries in Surat, [[India]], reflect the historical presence of the Armenian community in the region. These [[gravestones]], featuring intricate designs and inscriptions, are part of the Armenian cemetery in Surat, alongside the cemeteries of early [[British Empire|British]] and [[Dutch people|Dutch]] settlers. Historians suggest Armenians began settling in Surat as early as the 14th century, with a notable increase in the 16th century.<ref name="ma">{{Cite web |last=Ani |first=Margaryan |title=The 16th-17th Centuries' Armenian Gravestones – A Testament to the Armenian Presence in Surat, India |url=https://chinarmart.com/2023/08/26/the-16th-17th-centuries-armenian-gravestones-a-testament-to-the-armenian-presence-in-surat-india/ |website=Chinarmart |date=26 August 2023 }}</ref>

The Armenians in Surat were primarily traders, dealing in jewelry, precious stones, cotton, silk, and other commodities. They engaged in trade with Armenian-owned merchant vessels, exporting goods to various destinations including [[Egypt]], the [[Levant]], [[Anatolia]], [[Venice]], and [[Livorno]]. Unlike other traders from [[West Asia]], who often traveled alone, Armenian merchants often brought their families with them.<ref name="ma" />

From the 16th century onwards, Armenians formed an important trading community in [[Surat]], the most active Indian [[port]] of that period, located on the western coast of India. The port city of Surat used to have regular sea borne to and fro [[traffic]] of merchant ships from [[Basra]] and [[Bandar Abbas]]. Armenians of Surat built two Churches and a [[cemetery]] there,<ref>{{cite web |title=Cemeteries (English, Dutch and Armenian) |url=https://www.suratmunicipal.gov.in/thecity/cemeteries |website=Surat Municipal Corporation |accessdate=2025-11-04}}</ref> and a [[tombstone]] (of 1579) in Surat bears Armenian [[inscription]]s. The second Church was built in 1778 and was dedicated to [[Mary, mother of Jesus]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Armenia-India Relations Through History |journal=Himalayan and Central Asian Studies |volume=12 |number=2 |date=April–June 2008 |url=https://www.himalayanresearch.org/pdf/2006-7-8/vol12%20N2final.pdf |accessdate=2025-11-04 }}</ref> A [[manuscript]] written in the Armenian language in 1678 (currently preserved in Saltikov-Shchedrin Library, [[St. Petersburg]]) has an account of a permanent [[colony]] of Armenians in Surat.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Maclagan |first=E. D. |date=July 1938 |title=Armenians in India from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. By Mesrovb Jacob Seth. 8½ × 5, pp. xv + 629. Calcutta: Published by the Author, 1937. Rs. 10 or 15''s''. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0035869x00077947 |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society |volume=70 |issue=3 |pages=446–447 |doi=10.1017/s0035869x00077947 |issn=1356-1863|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The British valued the business acumen of the Armenian community and sought their cooperation to secure trading privileges in the Mughal court. Today, the Armenian gravestones in Surat serve as a poignant reminder of the community's significant contributions to the city's history and its enduring commercial and cultural ties with various regions.<ref name="ma" />

===Chennai=== Landmarks of contributions made to the city of Chennai still exist. [[Coja Petrus Uscan]], an Armenian merchant who had amassed a fortune from trade with the [[Nawab of Arcot]], invested a great amount in buildings. The [[Marmalong Bridge]], with many arches across the river [[Adyar (River)|Adyar]] was constructed by him, and a huge sum of maintenance donated to the local authorities. Besides building rest houses for pilgrims, he built the Chapel of Our Lady of Miracles in Madras. The only reminder of the bygone era is the [[Armenian Church, Chennai]] of 1772 at 2/A [[Armenian Street, Chennai|Armenian Street]], [[George Town, Chennai|Georgetown]]).The Armenia India legacy in Chennai and Armenian contributions are well documented in the Armenia Virtual Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Armenia Virtual Museum - Armenia in India A Cultural Legacy - Armenian Cultural Centre Chennai |url=https://cognishift.org/armenia-virtual-museum/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=CogniShift.Org |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> In 2025, Indian author Dr. Prashant Madanmohan organized the ''Indo-Armenian-French Art & Literary Confluence'' in Chennai, showcasing cultural unity through literature and art, including themes of memory, identity, and the Armenian Genocide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=P |first=Apurva |date=2025-05-10 |title=This art exhibition by Mari Poghosyan explores cross-cultural memories and identity |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/art/2025/May/10/this-art-exhibition-by-mari-poghosyan-explores-cross-cultural-memories-and-identity |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=Indulgexpress |language=en}}</ref>

===Kolkata=== The Armenians settled in [[Chinsurah]], near [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], and in 1688 built a church now known as the [[Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth]] This is the second oldest church in [[Bengal]] and is still in well preserved on account of the care of the Calcutta Armenian Church Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~chaterfamilytree/genealogy/History_Armenians_in_Calcutta_holy_nazareth.html|title=History - The Armenian Holy Nazareth Church Calcutta|website=freepages.rootsweb.com|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/armenian-church-of-the-holy-nazareth|title=Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth|website=Atlas Obscura|language=en|access-date=2020-04-19}}</ref>

==Demography== [[File:The grave of Astwasatoor Mooradkhan.jpg|thumb|175px|The grave of Astwasatoor Mooradkhan (died at Calcutta on 29.09.1799), who was one of the founders of the [[Armenian College (Kolkata)|Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy, Kolkata]].]]

=== Armenian population in India (1951–2011) ===

{| class="wikitable" |+ Armenian population in India from 1951 to 2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census of India – Official website |url=https://censusindia.gov.in |access-date=31 December 2024 |publisher=Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Petrosian, Vahé |title=The Armenians in India |year=2000 |publisher=Publisher Name}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Sharma, S. R. |title=The Armenians in India |year=1958 |publisher=Publisher Name}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Armenian Church of Kolkata |url=https://www.armeniancollege.org.in/ |access-date=31 December 2024 |publisher=Armenian College}}</ref> |- ! Year !! Population |- | 1951 || {{decrease}}3,078 |- | 1961 || {{decrease}}2,871 |- | 1971 || {{decrease}}2,474 |- | 1981 || {{decrease}}2,056 |- | 1991 || {{decrease}}1,758 |- | 2001 || {{decrease}}1,015 |- | 2011 || {{decrease}}426 |}

===Population=== After Armenia's independence from USSR, many Armenian-Indians went to [[Armenia]]. [[Kolkata]] still has about 150 Armenians and they still celebrate Christmas on 6 January,<ref>{{cite news|title=Kolkata, Armenian celebrates Christmas|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/kolkata-armenians-celebrate-christmas/article5545315.ece|access-date=4 February 2014|newspaper=Business Line|date=6 Jan 2004}}</ref> and Easter.<ref>{{cite news|last=Datta|first=Rangan|title=Easter with Armenians|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130421/jsp/calcutta/story_16782579.jsp#.UvC7OT2SxZ8|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140204101401/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130421/jsp/calcutta/story_16782579.jsp%23.UvC7OT2SxZ8|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2014|access-date=4 February 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph, Kolkata|date=21 April 2013|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref> [[Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day]] is also observed in Armenian Church, Kolkata.<ref name=poulami/> The [[Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth]], located in Brabourne Road, [[Kolkata]] was constructed in 1734 and is the oldest Church in Kolkata.<ref name=poulami>{{cite news|last=Banerjee|first=Poulami|title=Church Children|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100523/jsp/calcutta/story_12477031.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204000412/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100523/jsp/calcutta/story_12477031.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2013|access-date=5 February 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph. Calcutta|date=23 May 2010|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref> The best known Armenian institution in India is the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy (est. 1821)<ref>[http://armeniancollege.in/ Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy official website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226042354/http://armeniancollege.in/ |date=26 December 2013 }}</ref> better known as the [[Armenian College (Kolkata)|Armenian College]], in [[Kolkata]], funded by endowments and donations. The management of the college was handed over to the Armenian Holy See of Echmiadzin of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] some years ago by a group of alumni led by Heros Avetoom. There are presently around 125 children studying there from Armenia, Iran and Iraq and the local Armenian population. There is also the Armenian Sports Club (est. 1890) which is still active.

===Religion=== {{Unreferenced section|date=October 2019}} [[Image:Armenian church Berhampore.jpg|thumb|right|The Armenian Church [[Baharampur|Berhampore]]]] [[Image:Armenian Church, Chinsurah, Hooghly.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist]]]]

Most Armenians in Armenia are Apostolic Orthodox and adhere to the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] and are under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Echmiadzin. In February 2007, [[Karekin II]], Catholicos of All Armenians visited India. In Delhi he met with the President of India. He also visited [[Chennai]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Kolkata]]. There are many [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic Orthodox churches]] in India:

* Kolkata ** [[Armenian Church of Holy Nazareth]], Kolkata ** [[Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist|Armenian Church of St.John the Baptist]], Kolkata ** [[Armenian College (Kolkata)|Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy]], Kolkata ** Armenian St. Gregory's Church, Kolkata ** The Holy Trinity Chapel (Church of Tangra), Kolkata * Other places ** [[Armenian Church, Chennai|Armenian Church]], Chennai ** St. Peter's Armenian Apostolic Church, Mumbai ** [[St. Mary Armenian Church, Saidabad|St. Mary Armenian Church]] in Saidabad, Murshidabad

==Armenia–India relations== {{Unreferenced section|date=October 2019}} [[File:Armenian Genocide 2.jpg|right|thumb|Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Kolkata]] {{Main|Armenia–India relations}}

President [[Levon Ter-Petrossian]] visited India in December 1995 and signed a Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation. Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian traveled to India in December 2000. India's Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. Digvijay Singh visited Armenia in July 2003. President [[Robert Kocharian]], accompanied by several Ministers and a strong business delegation, visited India in October–November 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mfa.am/en/country-by-country/in/ |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia - Armenia India Bliateral Relations |access-date=25 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226041721/http://www.mfa.am/en/country-by-country/in/ |archive-date=26 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Armenia-India Friendship Society (within the Armenian Society for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries) regularly marks India's Republic and Independence Days.<ref>{{cite web https://eoiyerevan.gov.in/indian-dayst-in-armenia.php?{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} }}</ref>

==Prominent people== {{Unreferenced section|date=October 2019}} * [[Abdul Hai (chief justice)|Abdul Hai]] was the [[Chief Justice]] of Mughal Empire during the time of Akbar. * [[Khwaja Israel Sarhad]] was an eminent Judeo-Persian merchant of Armenian origin in Bengal during the late 17th & 18th centuries. He was from [[New Julfa]] [[Isfahan|(Isfahan, Iran)]], nephew of the renowned [[Khwaja Fanous Kalantar]]—in 1688, the latter had affirmed an agreement with the English East India Company in London on behalf of the Armenian nation. He obtained permission from the Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]] in 1698 that allowed the English to financially acquire from the existing holders the right to rent the three villages of Calcutta, Sutanati, and Govindpore for the grand sum of sixteen thousand rupees.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Husain|first=Ruquiya K.|title=Khwaja Israel Sarhad: Armenian Merchant and Diplomat|date=2004|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44144740|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=65|pages=258–266|jstor=44144740|issn=2249-1937}}</ref> * Eliza Kewark or ''Kevork'' whose father was Armenian was the wife of Theodore Forbes, making her the fourth great-grandmother of [[Lady Diana]]. * [[Gauhar Jaan]] (born Angelina Yeoward) was an Indian singer and dancer (or [[tawaif]]) of Armenian origin from [[Calcutta]]. * [[Lady Juliana (Agra)|Juliana]], believed to be a sister of one of Akbar's Armenian wives, was a [[Physician|doctor]] in the royal [[harem]] of Akbar. Lady Juliana built the first [[Church (building)|Church]] in Agra. She was later married to Jean Philippe de [[House of Bourbon|Bourbon]] of Navarre, a royal descendant of [[France]]. * Mariam Zamani Begum, one of the wives of Akbar, was believed to be an Armenian. Marium Zamani Begum's palace still stands in [[Fatehpur Sikri]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]. But now most historians agree that Mariam Zamani was the First Hindu Wife of Akbar and the princess of Amber. * Mariam Begum Saheba, also known as Vilayati Begum (literal meaning English Queen) was married to a king of [[Oudh]], when the British conferred on him the title of King in 1814. *Mirza Zul Quarnain, adopted son of Akbar and his Armenian wife, was an Armenian. He was well versed in several languages, particularly Portuguese. Upon the death of his father in 1613, he succeeded as a collector of tax levied on salt produced in Sambhar ([[Rajputana]]). His rise was fast and he held positions in turn as the Governor of [[Sambhar, Rajasthan|Sambhar]], [[Mogor]], [[Babraich]] (Oudh), [[Lahore]] and Bengal. Emperor [[Jahangir]] conferred on him the title of [[Amir]]. He also maintained very cordial relations with Jesuits in India of his time. Mirza was also a [[poet]], singer and [[playwright]], and he composed verses in [[Urdu]] and Persian. *''[[Sarmad Kashani]]'' (a Persian word for "eternal"), an Armenian of Aurangjeb's (1658–1707) time was a scholar and a mystic saint and his grave is near the [[Jama Masjid, Delhi|Jama Masjid]]. His poetic talents are often compared with gifted poets like [[Firdausi]], [[Sayadi]], [[Hafez]] and [[Khayam]]. He was allegedly executed by Aurangzeb in 1671.

===Medical professionals=== * Arthur Zorab, an eye specialist, perfected an operating style for [[glaucoma]], which was named after him as the "Zorab operation". * Frederick Joseph Satur (Indian), Army Medical Corps M.B., B.S, DV. Graduated From Madras Medical College 1938. Saw active service in North Africa WW2 Indo-China war of 1962 UN Peace Keeping force Hospital Congo 1960. Retired fro service in 1969. * Joseph Marcus Joseph, [[Doctor of Medicine|M.D.]], an Armenian joined the Indian Medical Service in 1852 and rose to the level of Deputy Surgeon General by 1880. The Indian Army, under the British, had several Armenians Lieutenant Colonels, Surgeon Captains, and Surgeon Majors. * Marie Catchatoor, an Armenian lady, was the first woman of India to be appointed as Presidency Surgeon of West Bengal. She retired in the early 1980s as the superintendent of Lady Dufferin Hospital, Calcutta.<ref name=poulami/> * Sargis Avetoom of the Indian Army, participated in British Army's actions in Afghanistan, Egypt and Burma, and was honored by the British Government, Medal and Clasp and Khedives star with Clasp from Egypt, and Medal and Clasp from Burma. He discovered a medicine for [[dysentery]], and was fluent in many languages like [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[English language|English]], [[German language|German]], [[Hindi]], [[Belugi]] and [[Pashto language|Pashto]]. * Stephan Manouk, son of a prominent business man, Hovsep Manouk, obtained a Diploma Of Doctor Surgeon from the [[Royal Medical University]], [[London]], in 1862. His services during a [[cholera]] [[epidemic]] of that time earned him a Certificate of Honors by the British Government. * Stepen Owen Moses, pioneered St. John's Ambulance Courses in Calcutta,<ref name=poulami/> and initiated the first Red Cross ambulance in Calcutta during the [[World War I]].

===Legal profession=== * Gregory Paul, who had graduated from the [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]], held different posts in the High Court in India.<ref name=poulami/> * M. P. Gasper, a leading [[barrister]] of the Calcutta High Court, was the first Armenian who passed the Indian Civil Service Examination in 1869.

===Other professions=== [[Image:Armenians in calcutta.jpg|thumb|200 px|Armenian boy scouts in Calcutta, 1915/1916.]] [[File:Bust of Catchick Paul Chater.jpg|thumb|200 px|Bust of Catchick Paul Chater at [[La Martiniere Calcutta|La Martiniere Boys School, Kolkata]]]] * [[Coja Petrus Uscan]] led the Armenian community in [[Madras]]. He constructed the Marmalong Bridge across the [[River Adyar]] and the steps to the chapel on top of [[St Thomas Mount]]. * Gregory Charles Paul (1831–1900) an Armenian born in Calcutta, educated at Cambridge University, was the Advocate General of Bengal during British rule. He served as Advocate General for more than 30 years, he was knighted. He is buried in the Greek Cemetery, Narkeldanga. The Armenian Church committee at this death refused to allow him to be buried in the Armenian Church precincts. He and other eminent Armenians Barristers of the day brought the Calcutta Armenian Trusts under the Administration of the Calcutta High Court in 1888. (John Gregory Apcar and ors versus 1. Thomas Malcolm and 2. Sir Gregory Charles Paul, Advocate General of Bengal, Calcutta High Court 1888. Two Trusts were formulated by them one for the Management of the Armenian Charity Trusts managed by the officers of the Armenian Church and another Trust for the Management of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy. (Advocate General vs Arabella Vardon, Calcutta High Court). Formation of these Trusts have allowed the sustainment of the small Armenian Community in India. * [[Harutyun Shmavonyan]] ({{langx|hy|Հարություն Շմավոնյան}}) published [[Azdarar]], the first [[Armenian Language]] newspaper ever published in Madras on 14 October 1794. * [[Joseph David Beglar]] (1845–1907) an [[archeologist]] in the Public Works Department of British India, was associated with significant archeological excavations, which included excavations of [[Mahabodhi Temple]] complex in [[Bodh Gaya]], India. * Thomas Malcolm (1837–1918) / Warden of the Armenian church for 50 years / born 1837 Bushire, Persia / died 6 Mar 1918 Calcutta India. The grave marker is at the Armenian Church Cemetery Lower Circular Road.<ref>in India by M J Seth page 444 (in reprint 2005 edit.).</ref> * [[Paul Chater|Catchick Paul Chater]] (8 September 1846 – 27 May 1926) was a [[Hong Kong]] based business man, who was born and raised in [[Kolkata]]

===Sports=== * [[Mac Joachim]] (1925–2013), boxer from Calcutta who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.

==See also== * [[Armenia–India relations]] * [[Armenians in Bangladesh]] * [[Armenians in Pakistan]] * [[Armenians in Afghanistan]] * [[Armenians in Iran]] * [[Armenians in Tunisia]] * [[Armenians in Lebanon]] * [[Armenians in Israel]] * [[Armenians in Palestine]] * [[Armenians in Jordan]] * [[Armenians in Libya]] * [[Armenians in Egypt]] * [[Armenians in Oman]] * [[Armenians in Myanmar]] * [[Andin. Armenian Journey Chronicles]] * [[Buddhism in Armenia]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * Jacob Seth Mesrovb, ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140911213808/http://202.41.82.144/scripts/FullindexDefault.htm?path1=%2Fdata_copy%2Fupload%2F0077%2F839&first=1&last=684&barcode=6010010077834 Armenians in India - From the Earliest Times to the Present]'', Calcutta, 1937  * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100103091336/http://www.agbu.org/publications/article.asp?A_ID=27 ''The Armenians of India: An Historical Legacy''] by David Zenian. [[Armenian General Benevolent Union|AGBU]] * [https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/the-saga-armenian-family-old-dhaka-1302448 The saga of an Armenian family of Old Dhaka] * [https://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/news/recovering-the-stories-the-armenians-asia-1703575 Recovering the stories of the Armenians of Asia ]

==External links== {{commons category|Armenian diaspora in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armenians In India}} [[Category:Armenian diaspora in India| ]] [[Category:Ethnic groups in India]] [[Category:Indian people of Armenian descent| ]] [[Category:Diasporas in India]] [[Category:Human migration]] [[Category:Foreign relations of ancient India]]