The legacy of the armenians in Chennai | Madras Day

Ask anyone within the metropolis as to which of the eu nations they affiliate with madras, the commonest reply will likely be england. However while you point out the armenians to them, the response will likely be a fantastic smile. Amongst all there who got here right here, the armenians are maybe remmbered with the greenst fondness, probally as a result of their historical past too is considered one of steady invasions and conquests.

There have been armenians in India lengthy earlier than the British got here. However as soon as the latter is Arrived, they beCame intently aligned in enterprise pursuits. Madras appears to have recorded its first armenians from the 1660s, the oldest tomb being that of khoja david, courting to 1663 and located close to little mountain. By the 1680s, that they had the identical rights because the British within the metropolis. By the early 18^th Century, there was 40 of them within the metropolis, and so they have been sanctioned a church of their very own, which was constructed on land the place the excessive courtroom is introduced. That construction, completes in 1712, was demolished with the remainder of outdated black city when the french left Madras after a three-yar specupation in 1749.

DURING That Three-12 months Interregnum, when issues see very bleak for the british holed up in cuddalore, the friendship of the armenians mat so much. They steadfastly refused all brandashments of dupleix and his dubash ananda ranga pillai to maneuver to pondicher. On returning to Madras in 1749, The British was grateful. Coja Petrus Uscan, The Chief of the Armenian Neighborhood then, Grew to become An Honoured Pal.

Petrus has many markers to Himself within the Metropolis. There’s the plaque by the maraimalai adigal bridge, commemorating his funding in 1726 of the primary bridge account the adyar. He funded the development of the steps going up st. Thomas mount in 1728, and a 12 months laater, he was current to witness the opening of the st. Thomas Sepulchre in San Thome. A Pill CommeMorating This, Let Into The Wall of St. Rita’s church can nonetheless be seen as drive on santhome excessive highway, in the event you can take your eyes off the visitors that’s. Petrus’ Private Chapel is now the st. Matthias church, intercourse. His Tombstone Greets You as Quickly as you enter the church.

A sketch of the primary Armenian Church In-built Madras in 1712. Nonetheless, The construction was demolished and a brand new one was constructed on Armenian Avenue within the 1722. Photograph Credit score: The Hindu Archives

Armenian road is in fact the most important marker to the individuals who as soon as flourished right here. And proper by the doorway is Armenian Church, Constructed in 1772. Inside are quite a few memorials and tombstones – Harathoon Shimovinian Who in Madras Started the First Armenian Journal Worldwide, to SETH SAM, to SAS, to A Founding Member of the Madras Chamber of Commerce in 1836 and to CORAMSIMEE LEEMBRUGEGEN who was armenian by start and doubtless the primary ladies in madras to pay alimony to her divorce Additionally, right here is the aga shawmier household, a lot of who rich retailers with huge landholdings within the nungambakkam space.

Avenue Names

Elsewhere within the metropolis is road names. There’s Arathoon Highway in Royapuram, Commemorating a Harathoon, A Girigori Avenue in George City Remembering Khoja Gregorios Agapperi and In all probability Moore’s Highway, What MOUORES SAMULY Moorat. The streets of Fort St. George too is replete with armenian reminiscence, most notable being the constructing

However by far the most effective memorial is armenian church itself. Lovingly tended to by the diaspora regardless of no armenian now everlasting residing right here, it stays a haven of peace. The bells within the tower, (forged on the identical foundry that Gave the Bells for St. Pauls Cathedral, London, The Large Ben at Westminster, and the Liberty Bell at Philadelphia, ARANG EVERY SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAN Alive a fantastic reminiscence.