ss0r2020 Kolkata’ Armenian Legacy
Kolkata’s Armenian Legacy
Kritika Sarda
Hoe
You will have to make your way through the bylanes of Kolkata’s chaotic
and crowded Burrabazar to find the oldest church in the city. The
Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth, is not just historic it is also symbolic. It
is the city's connection to the Armenian community that once controlled
commerce and the famous jute trade of Kolkata.
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‘Armenians in Calcutta|Wikimedia Commons
Armenians played an important role through Indian history. They migrated
from Armenia in West Asia, in the face of growing religious persecution in
the 16th century CE and thrived as traders. By the time of Akbar’s reign the
Armenians were an economically affluent and powerful community.
They were appointed to high administrative positions and the first
Armenian Church in India was built by Akbar, in Agra in 1562 CE. The
Armenians often held high office. The Chief Justice of Akbar's court was an
Armenian, Abdul Hai.
Akbar's successors Jahangir (1605-1627 CE) and Shah Jahan (1628-1657 CE)
continued to encourage more Armenians to settle down in India. As their
trade networks spread, the Armenians started settling in places such as
Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, and Surat. They traded mostly in commodities
such as woollen cloth, amber, Venetian glassware, mirrors, guns and
swords; in return they sent out spices, pearls, precious stones and cotton
from India.
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city became home to the largest Armenian community in India, then. In
1715 CE, it was the Armenians who helped the British establish themselves
in Bengal and make Calcutta the new commercial centre. As they
prospered their community grew and more Armenians churches were
built across India.
Clock Tower; Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth at Armenian Street, Kolkata) Wikimedia Commons
Kolkata's Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth, was originally built in 1688
CE, but its wooden structure is said to have been burned down in a terrible
fire in 1707 CE. The present church was built on an old Armenian burial
ground after a span of 17 years, in 1724 CE. The architect of this church was
an Armenian, named Levon Ghevond from Iran.
The oldest marker of Armenian presence in Kolkata is the tomb of an
Armenian woman Rezabeebeh Sookia, close to the church, dating all the
way back to July 21, 1630 CE.
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Rezabeobeh Scokia's Tomb|Wikimedia Commons
The Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth, is said to have undergone a final
set of renovations in 1763 CE by a philanthropist, Khojah Petros Arratoon.
He is said to have built two altars- one on the right of the main altar- to
commemorate his brother Gorghin Khan who was the commander-in-
chief of the army of Nawab Mir Qasim of Bengal and another- on the left of
the main altar- in his own memory. The interior of the church is adorned
with strikingly beautiful paintings and frescoes.
The Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth is located 3 kms from Howrah
Railway station and 15 kms from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International
Airport, Kolkata.
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