CHAPTER1
Armenians in Bombay
The Armenian settlement in Bombay was not large. Due to Bombay’s geographical
position, there has been a steady, temporary influx of Armenians to this city.
Thousands of Armenians from Iran, Armenia and Turkey have passed through Bombay
to the other cities of India. During the World War I many Armenian refugees fled
from Turkey to Bombay on their way to England and other countries. During the
World War II many Armenians from Rangoon (now Yangon) and Calcutta stayed temporarily
in Bombay but the permanent residents were not large in numbers.
S.M.Edwardes, in his book Rise of Bombay, mentions about the early Armenians
in Bombay. He says: “The Armenians are wearing the Persian dress, and dyeing their
hair and whiskers with henna. Armenian ladies pass their time either engaged in
the care of their families, or in receiving and paying visits, drinking coffee
or sherbet, embroidering and making delicious confections of Hulwah and various
sweetmeats. They have very considerable influence in their families, understand
business admirably, and are commonly entrusted with the full control of their
property. Their condition is easy and agreeable, little restraint being placed
upon their conduct, a slight degree of personal seclusion being considered honorable
and dignified.”42
Armenians
were concentrated in a district which was called Armenian Line. The adjacent street
is called Armenian Street. There is an Armenian Church on Meadows Street in Bombay,
which was built in 1796. At present a few Armenians live in Bombay.