CHAPTER 4
CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL
LIFE OF ARMENIANS IN INDIA
Armenian
Schools in India
However Armenian merchants of the 18th-19th centuries were very much attached
to the developments in their community. Wealthy merchants were contributing
a part of their wealth to the community and for common national goals. Of course,
social charity has been an individual phenomenon everywhere and every time.
But in this case it could be stated that in the Indo-Armenian reality there
were so many individuals with charitable mood that this phenomenon acquired
common occurrence.
In the 18th century in the history of Armenia bright pages were written which
were due to the financial help of Armenian wealthy merchants of India: Simeon
Catholicos could open a paper factory in Echmiatsin (Religious centre of all
the Armenians and Holy See of the Catholicos situated in Armenia, near Yerevan)
owing to the money which he got as a present from India; Archbishop Hovsep could
establish a printing press and a school in New Nakhichevan (now Rostov-on-Don
in South Russia) with financial help of his Indo-Armenian friends; Mekhitarist
Fathers could establish the Rafayel College in Venice owing to Armenian merchant
Rafayel who willed part of his wealth for this purpose. The same merchant ordered
and financed the translation of 12 volumes of Rolles’ Common History. Another
Indo-Armenian, Samuel Mourad gave 2 million Francs to establish an Armenian
school in India. Consequently Indo-Armenians became so famous with their charitable
activities that many Armenians from all the corners of the world began to seek
their financial support for their various activities.
While the 18th century is more remarkable for the development of publishing
work in the Armenian community, the 19th century is famous for educational movement.
Calcutta became the focal point of intellectual life of the Armenians.
As the number of Armenians increased, there was a big need for national educational
institutions to protect their national language, culture and identity.
From the end of the 18th century till the middle of the 19th century, the Armenians
established at least five educational institutions in India besides the first
English school.
When English rule was firmly established in India it became imperative for Indians
to learn English. It is a historical fact that the first English school for
boys of all communities was founded in Calcutta by an Armenian. Unfortunately
his name is forgotten. We could not find the exact date when the school was
opened. It is only known that this school was founded in the end of the 18th
century and was flourishing in 1808. That means that before David Hare ( who
opened an English school for Indian boys in Calcutta in 1815) there was already
such a school there.
One Armenian Commandant named Margar who was one of the officers in Gorgin Khan's
Army, founded a school at his residence and was teaching Armenian boys some
time after 1763. The first private Armenian school was founded in Calcutta in
1798 by Aratoon Kaloos where all the lessons were taught in Armenian language.
This school functioned for 25 years and prepared many specialists of Armenian
language.
It can be assumed that the Madras Armenian School was founded some time before
1820 as no records have been found on the date of the establishment as well
as founder's name. This calculation is done knowing that a wealthy Armenian
merchant of Java - George Manuk had made a will in 1820 in which he had left
Rs.30,000 for this school. Armenian School at Madras closed in 1889 due to the
lack of pupils. In 1912 it was decided to divert the income of the Madras Armenian
School to the Armenian College in Calcutta.
The Armenian Philanthropic Academy was founded on April 2, 1821 at 358, Old
China Bazar Street, Calcutta, near the Armenian Church, and subsequently transferred
to 56B, Mirza Ghalib Street. This educational institution has been favoured
by the Calcutta Armenians and it still functions owing to the financial support
of wealthy Armenians (more details in Chapter 5).
In 1837 an Armenian School was founded in Dhaka by an Armenian landlord Nicholas
P. Pogose and was called Dhaka Pogose School. Initially it was in the residence
of Pogose who was also the principal of the school.
M.D. Thaliadian, the great Armenian scholar, publisher and editor, has also
been the founder of a school which was called the Armenian Infant Seminary of
St. Sandoukht. It was founded in Calcutta in 1846. The Seminary was open to
boys and girls which was very well appreciated, as in 1842 the Armenian Philanthropic
Academy had closed its girls' department. Unfortunately, due to insufficient
funds it was closed in 1852 though it was recognised in Calcutta as an educational
institution of good standing.
Davidian Girls' School was opened in Calcutta on March 1, 1922. As the Armenian
College of Calcutta admitted boys only so the founder, David Aviet David, decided
to open a school for poor Armenian girls and admit poor Armenian boys to its
kindergarten section. The school expanded so rapidly that a large building became
an absolute necessity. So by 1930 the Davidian Girls' School transferred to
a larger building. During World War II this school was evacuated to Nainital
(U.P.). Davidian Girls' School was meant for Armenians only but David never
turned away any child. Consequently Indian, Anglo-Indian, Jewish children were
also admitted. Besides regular school subjects, the Armenian pupils were taught
Armenian language, history and literature, drill, folk songs, dancing and music.
David personally conducted the affairs of his school and discussed with his
staff all the details connected with the school activities and functions. David
dedicated all his life and almost all his wealth to this school. His life was
really a remarkable example of single-minded devotion to the cause of education.
According to his will, the Davidian Girls' School was converted into a boarding
school after his death.
Miss Martin George's Kindergarten and Preparatory Day school was founded in
1926 by Mrs. Lucy George and was one of the leading private schools in
Calcutta. The medium of instruction was English but admission was unrestricted.
Mrs. George died in 1966 and the school was closed in 1967.
Moir Hall Nursery, Kindergarten and Preparatory Day School was founded in Calcutta
in 1957 by Mrs. S. John and Mrs. Amy Sarkies. This school functions till now.
In 1953 Mr. Sookias and his wife started a Childrens' Club in Dehradun.
In 1954 they also opened private, coeducational Nursery-Kindergarten-Primary-
Junior-High-School
on the same premises.
In Dehradun there was also Brightland Primary School which was founded by Elizabeth
Arratoon in 1950s.
Among all these Armenian Schools only Armenian College and Davidian Girls’ School
always have maintained the Armenian spirit where besides other subjects Armenian
language, literature and history are taught. These schools function at present.
Armenian Organisations
The Armenians of India established welfare organisations to help the needy people
of their community, in addition to donating funds and property to the Armenian
churches for the relief and education of their less fortunate compatriots. They
have also contributed generous sums of money to Indian and other charities,
built churches and chapels, bridges, rest-houses for pilgrims, subscribed towards
public buildings, hospitals, orphanages, widows’ homes, alms-houses etc.
Armenians formed welfare, cultural, social and sports clubs and societies, and
joined non-Armenian organisations and thus shared in the life of the communities
among whom they lived peacefully for centuries.
Some
prominent organisations among them were: Armenian Ladies Benevolent Association,
Armenian Association, Haikazian Cultural Society, Armenian Club, Armenian Sports
Club etc.
The Armenian Club of Calcutta has always been the place where Armenians could
interact with each other in their own language, to exchange the latest news.
A number of indoor sports tournaments, social, wedding and christening receptions,
and functions of other Armenian welfare, cultural and sports organisations were
also held in the Club. Till the late 1970s, cultural programs were organised
in the Club once in a month on a regular basis where Armenian folk songs and
dances were performed.
The Armenian community of Calcutta has always been celebrating Indian national
holidays, anniversaries of distinguished and prominent scholars, philosophers
and national leaders of India. On these occasions concerts, talks, lectures
were organised.
The Armenian community always had close relations with Iran as 99 percent of
the colony are from Iran. The Ambassador of Iran in India periodically visited
Calcutta to meet the members of the Armenian community. Usually the General
Consulate of Iran and the Iran Society invited the Armenian College Choir and
Orchestra to perform on different occasions.
In 1956 Shah of Iran, Mohamad Reza Pahlevi and Queen Soraya arrived in India
on an official visit. On the decision of the Armenian Church Committee, the
representatives of the Armenian community of India welcomed Their Majesties
and presented with gifts.
Concluding this Chapter it should be stated that the Indo-Armenians had a very
rich cultural and intellectual life. Among Indo-Armenian wealthy merchants there
were many people who helped their community donating funds to establish schools,
to build houses for elderly and sick people, to restore churches, to set up
publishing work in order to preserve their language, religion, national identity.
Among them there were real patriots who were not indifferent to the destiny
of their homeland - Armenia. They donated most of their wealth to prepare freedom
movement in Armenia.
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