Tracing Armenian Heritage in Chennai on Madras Day

Swift Summary

• Armenians were present in India prior to the British, with the first recorded Armenians arriving in madras around the 1660s.
• The earliest known Armenian tomb dates to 1663 near Little Mount. By the 1680s, they received similar rights as the British in Madras.
• The first Armenian Church was built in 1712 but was demolished after French occupation (1746-1749); a new one was constructed on Armenian Street in 1772.
• Coja Petrus uscan, an influential Armenian leader, funded critical infrastructure projects like Adyar Bridge (1726) and steps up St. Thomas Mount (1728). His personal chapel is now St. Matthias Church in Vepery.
• Prominent Armenians included Harathoon Shimovinian, who started the world’s first Armenian journal from Madras; Seth Sam of Madras Chamber of Commerce; and Edward Samuel Moorat commemorated through city street names.
• Various streets such as Arathoon Road and Girigori Street preserve links to historically meaningful Armenians.
• The bells at Armenian Church on Armenian Street are continued weekly by diaspora care despite no permanent Armenian residents being present.

Indian Opinion analysis
The enduring legacy of the small yet influential Armenian community illustrates India’s historical acceptance of diverse cultures and its role as a global hub for trade over centuries. Beyond business alignment with colonial powers like Britain, their contributions to infrastructure advancement (e.g., bridges), journalism, commerce, and philanthropy enriched Indian cities such as Chennai – fostering cultural synergy without domination or conflict. Preserving sites such as churches, street names, and monuments underscores India’s broader commitment to celebrate its pluralistic heritage while highlighting how micro-histories can reverberate meaning for communities today amidst globalization-driven transience.

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