Armenians in India
Topic: India, a Home to Many: Diasporas and Refuge · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 5 "India, a Home to Many"
Meaning
Armenians are a Christian people from Armenia, a small mountainous country between Turkey and Azerbaijan, just north of Iran. Armenian merchants traded in Indian spices and fine muslins. There is some evidence of a first settlement on the Malabar coast in the 8th century. In the 16th century, many Armenians came from Persia and received Mughal patronage, meaning support and protection from the Mughal rulers. They worked in the royal household, the army and the administration. Over time their numbers fell, but a few families still keep their heritage alive.
Example
Akbar allowed Armenians at Agra to build a church. Abdul Hai was Chief Justice at his court, and Lady Juliana was a doctor in the royal palace. Later, Kolkata became their main centre, where the 18th-century Armenian College is still active. Chennai has Armenian Street and St Mary's Armenian Church from the mid-18th century.
Don't confuse with
- Syriac Christians: they settled on the Malabar coast from the 4th century to escape persecution. Armenians came mainly as traders under the Mughals.