The idea of National Academy in Calcutta was first conceived by Astvazatoor Mooradkhan. In his Will dated 30th July 1797 he left Rs.8000 towards the establishment of an Armenian School for the education of Armenian youth, both rich and poor. Later on through the effort of Manatzakan Vardan, enough money was raised by subscription from the Armenian community to materialise the original idea conceived by Asvazatoor Mooradkhan a quarter of a century earlier. The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy was founded on the 2nd April 1821 at 385 Old China Bazaar Street, Calcutta, in the vicinity of the Armenian Church. At the time of its foundation the Academy had also a girls section that was abandoned in 1842. In 1884 the 56 Free School Street premises was purchased and the school transferred to its present location.

In 1949 the Armenian College and Davidian Girl’s School, which was founded by D.A.David in 1922, were educationally amalgamated and up to 1954 the girls appeared for the School final examinations of the Board of Secondary Education of West Bengal as private candidates. On 27th January 1953 permission for co-education was granted to the College by the Board and since then the girls along with the boys appeared for School Final Examinations as regular candidates.

Armenian College Photo by: Saro Ghookasian The Armenian merchants in the eighteen-hundreds had built churches and schools all over India, from their successful business ventures. One such school was "The Armenian Philanthropic Academy" better known as "The Armenian College" in Calcutta, India.

The idea of National Academy in Calcutta was first conceived by Astvazatoor Mooradkhan. In his Will dated 30th July 1797 he left Rs.8000 towards the establishment of an Armenian School for the education of Armenian youth, both rich and poor. Later on through the effort of Manatzakan Vardan, enough money was raised by subscription from the Armenian community to materialise the original idea conceived by Asvazatoor Mooradkhan a quarter of a century earlier. The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy was founded on the 2nd April 1821 at 385 Old China Bazaar Street, Calcutta, in the vicinity of the Armenian Church. At the time of its foundation the Academy had also a girls section that was abandoned in 1842. In 1884 the 56 Free School Street premises was purchased and the school transferred to its present location.

In 1949 the Armenian College and Davidian Girl’s School, which was founded by D.A.David in 1922, were educationally amalgamated and up to 1954 the girls appeared for the School final examinations of the Board of Secondary Education of West Bengal as private candidates. On 27th January 1953 permission for co-education was granted to the College by the Board and since then the girls along with the boys appeared for School Final Examinations as regular candidates. The premises of the Academy consists of:

The main school building bought in 1884. A three storey building said to be the birthplace of celebrated novelist William Makepeace Thackeray. It housed the seniors dormitory and classrooms.

The Hall building, a two story construction built in 1890. The ground floor equipped with a stage is used for college functions and the top floor houses the junior dormitory and the ground floor rented out for income.

Mary Apcar Building a two story construction built by Mr. A.G. Apcar in 1896 in memory of his wife. The top floor houses the junior dormitory and the ground floor rented out for income.

The property at 4 Kyd Street was purchased in 1929 with the help from the Armenian Church. Its two storey building provides accommodation for the Principal and other resident teachers, Office, Principal’s office, Staff room and Library. The extensive grounds of the building was also purchased shortly after, doubling the area of the College playground. The main school building being well over 150 years old had become unsuitable to house a school and it was decided to demolish and build an up to date four storey block designed to serve the purpose of a modern educational institution. This new building was built in 1971 by donations from the community, the Church, Ex-pupils and various institutions.

Originally the boys' school was located on 56-Free School Street, Calcutta 16, India. Later the street was re-named 'Mizrha Ghalib Street.' The school was open to boys and girls of Armenian descent from all over the world. The major attendees were those from Tehran, Iran, followed by those from parents living in India, and the rest were comprised of boys and girls from Iraq, Burma, Australia and the USA.

Languages taught at the school were Armenian, Classical Armenian, Bengali and English. Each student usually attended school for approximately ten years, completing Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High and High School. The school boys excelled in sports, rugby and scouting. In 1960 for the first time in its history, the school won four rugby championships. "The School Cup," "The Junior Cup," "The School Seven-A-Side Cup" and "The Calcutta Seven-A-Side Cup." Their main competitors were the boys of LaMartiniere.

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. However, the 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 56 B, Mirza Ghalib Street. This educational institution has been favored by the Calcutta Armenians and it still functions owing to the financial support of wealthy Armenians.

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. 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 Children's Club in Dehradun.

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.

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 organizations were also held in the Club. Till the late 1970s, cultural programs were organized 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 organized.

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. The Armenian College band, conducted by Mr. Phillips performed for the Shah and the Queen.

Rev. James Long in his Localities states that in the first half of the 19th century the number of Armenians in Calcutta was 636.93 According to the Armenian magazine Arev, in the end of the 19th century the number of Armenian population of Calcutta was 800-1000. In the second decade of the 20th century, because of the influx of refugees from Western Armenia, the number of Armenian colony of Calcutta raised till 2000. As one of the older and active members of Calcutta Armenians stated, in the 1930s and the 1940s there were 5-6 thousand Armenians in India.

In fact, Indo-Armenian public and cultural life transferred from Madras to Calcutta in the 19 th century and the Armenian colony of Calcutta began to give common tone and direction to the other Armenian colonies. Activities of publishing houses, schools and different kinds of organizations are closely linked to Calcutta .

The social structure of the Armenian community also changed. If in the past the main population was of traders, now there were artisans, lawyers, doctors, architects, people in railway, seaport and governmental services. One of the main streets in Calcutta is called Armenian Street . One of the landscapes not far from Calcutta is known as Armenian. One of the biggest ports of Calcutta used to be called Armenian Ghat. One of the streets in this city used to be known in the name of Sargis, one of the prominent Armenian personalities of Calcutta . From all these one can have an idea about the active role played by the Armenians in the city of Calcutta .

Armenians have been also very renowned house-builders and raised modern and comfortable buildings in Calcutta . They remained prominent builders until the early 20th century and set a high standard for private residences, hotels, office premises, residential mansions, boarding and guest houses. One Armenian builder and property-owner, Galstaun, built three hundred and fifty houses in Calcutta . Besides being builders, Armenians were also property owners, and until 1930s the whole area known as Queen's Park and Sunny Park , Ballygunge was owned by the Armenians. One of the Calcutta Armenians mentioned: ”Armenians are gifted with a vision. In the end of the 19th century Calcutta was very small but the Armenians were building big houses which meant they had faith in this country and saw their future here”.

Hotels seem to have held a special fascination for the Armenians. They were one of the first to build and own high standard hotels in Calcutta and Darjeeling . The Grand Hotel in Calcutta and The Mount Everest in Darjeeling , which are now known as Oberoi Grand and Oberoi Everest once were owned by an Armenian. The proprietors of the following hotels like Astoria , Astor, Carlton , Lytton, Russell, Kenilworth , New Kenilworth were Armenians, too.

The members of the Armenian community have been very active in public and business life of Calcutta . Among Armenians there were stock-exchange brokers, bankers, owners of export-import firms, landlords, and real-estate agents. They were in engineering, automobile, furniture, shellac, indigo and other businesses. Armenians of Calcutta were and are very keen racers. In the history of 20th century Calcutta one can find many Armenian racehorse owners and almost all the horses have Armenian names. The Armenian community had also artists, painters, actors, singers, football, hockey and rugby players.

From 1895 the Turks in Turkey started to massacre the Armenian population of Western Armenia , which culminated in a big genocide of the Armenians in 1915. 2 million Armenians were killed at that time. That was the policy of the Government of Turkey - Armenia without Armenians. During this period almost two thousand Armenians fled to India , particularly to Calcutta . The Armenian community was not able to cope with such a huge number of refugees. The Homes were full of these people. Being in the Homes for some time most of these refugees continued their way to Indonesia , Malaysia , Hong Kong and Mongolia .

The Indo-Armenian community was not indifferent to the fate of its compatriots in far away Armenia . In 1895 in January the Armenians of Calcutta held a protest meeting against the massacres of the Armenians by the Turks. It should be mentioned that a few Armenians who were in shellac business raised funds for the Armenian refugees from Turkey .

Two new buildings of Homes in Calcutta built in 1952 are now situated in the yard of St. Gregory's Chapel. There live almost 50 elderly and sick people. Medical service is available for them free of charge. The Homes gave temporary shelter to those Armenians who left Iran in 1979 after the Revolution. In 1990 during the Iran-Iraq war some Armenian families from Iran and Iraq found a temporary home in the Homes. The supervisor of the Homes of that time gave the number of those Armenians as 50-60. After the war some families went back, others obtained status of refugees from the UNHCR and migrated to the USA or Australia .

The interesting feature of the Armenian community in India is the absence of these political parties. There have never been and there are no Armenian political parties in India . Indo-Armenians have never been interested in politics. They have been mostly business-minded people. Even those Armenians, who were not in business, never joined any Indian political party.

Armenians say: - Wherever the Armenians go, first they set up a school and a church and then it spreads from there.

These two institutions are able to serve as gateways into the community. They play an important function in the establishment and maintenance of contacts between the Armenians but they have only small and, at best, an incidental role to play in the integration of Armenians into the wider economic, social and political system which encompasses the community.

Armenian community of India is concentrated in Calcutta . There are two Armenian Churches – Holy Church of Nazareth and St. Gregory's Chapel, two schools - Armenian College & Philanthropic Academy , and Davidian Girls' School, Armenian Club and Armenian Sports Club, which are the places where Armenians can meet and interact with each other now.

These institutions are important focal points for the Armenian community. They are the most visible and permanent identifiers of the presence of an Armenian population in India . They also appear to be traditional landmarks of Armenian communities elsewhere.

The Armenian community of Calcutta is immensely grateful to Sir Catchik Paul Chater of Hong Kong . This Armenian was very famous in the beginning of the 20th century. He was the leading landlord, architect and the richest citizen of Hong Kong . Sir Catchik Paul Chater willed considerable amount of money to the Armenian Church in Calcutta.

La Martiniere College of Calcutta also owes Sir Chater. When the College was in a financial crisis, this gentleman helped it out on condition that five Armenian boys and girls can study there free of cost during all the period this College will exist and function.

The biggest event in the history of the Calcutta Armenians was the historical visit of His Holiness Vazgen I, Catholics and Supreme Patriarch of all Armenians to India in November-December 1963. This visit was conducted on the invitation of His Holiness, Moran Mar Basilios Gevarghese II, Catholicos of the Apostolic Throne of the East and Supreme Head of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India as friendly relations have always existed between the Armenian and Syrian Orthodox Churches in India . The meeting took place in Kottayam (Kerala).

His Holiness Vazgen I paid courtesy visits to Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minsiter, Dr. S.Radhakrishnan, the President, Dr. Zakir Hussain, the Vice President, Sri Gulzarilal Nandas, the Home Minister. In honor of His Holiness receptions were held by the Ambassadors of Syria , Lebanon and Jordan.

Another big event in the life of the Indo-Armenian community was the official visit of Mr. Levon Ter-Petrosian, President of the independent Republic of Armenia , to India in December 1995. Concluding his visit in New Delhi with signing of a big package of Agreements with the Government of India, the President visited Calcutta . The Church Committee had organized a warm welcome to the President. Mr.Levon.Ter-Petrosian attended the celebration of 200 th anniversary of Azdarar, the first Armenian journal in the world, which was published in Madras in 1794.

As mentioned previously the Armenian College & Philanthropic Academy was founded on April 2, 1821. The idea of a national academy in Calcutta was first conceived by Astvatsatoor Mooradkhan. By his will dated July 30, 1797 he left circa Rs.8000 for the establishment of an Armenian School in Calcutta "for the education of the Armenian youth both rich and poor". Later on, through the untiring efforts of Manatsakan Vardan, enough money was raised by subscription among the Armenian community to materialize Mooradkhan's idea. It is noteworthy to mention that the Main School Building on Free School Street bought in 1884, has been the birthplace of the celebrated novelist William Makepeace Thackeray in 1811.96

The Academy had also very famous library which had a rich collection of valuable books and manuscripts. This Araratyan Library was founded in 1828. There were books in Armenian, Greek, Latin, English, French, Dutch, Persian, Chinese and other Occidental and Oriental languages. Ancient Armenian manuscripts were available there, too.

However, when one Carapet Mourad was the Rector of the Philanthropic Academy , all the rare Armenian manuscripts disappeared. This was disclosed in 1890. In 1909 an ex-pupil of the Academy donated a large number of English books thus laying foundation of a new library.

During the 20th century this library was being expanded from time to time to time obtaining contemporary literature. Recently, in autumn 2000 a large consignment of books was sent from Armenian to Calcutta for the library of the Armenian College . The organizer was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, which addressed a request-letter to various publishing houses and libraries in Yerevan to provide with textbooks, extra-curricular literature to the Armenian College of Calcutta . All these organizations unanimously supported the idea and gave a wide selection of Armenian, Russian and English books as a gift to the library. Among those organizations were the Fundamental Library of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia , Institute of Arts of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia , Library of the Yerevan State University , publishing houses: Louys, Hayastan, Arevik, Tigran Mets.

The funds and properties of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy are vested in the Official Trustee of West Bengal. The College was governed according to the provisions of a Scheme drawn up by the High Court of Calcutta in 1883. According to this Scheme the College is governed by a body of male members of the Armenian community in Calcutta known as the Members of the Armenian College & Philanthropic Academy or Members of the Institution.

Membership of this body is for life and election of new members is done by the Members themselves at their Annual General Meetings. Three Members, known as Managers, are annually elected to attend to the welfare of the College and the proper running of its affairs on behalf of the Members of the Institution and are responsible to them. Owing to the declining number of the Armenians, women are now able to participate in the management of the Academy. At present, the Armenian College has only one Manager.

During almost 183 years of its functioning, the Armenian College had many principals but the most outstanding and respected was Vahan Poladian, who is still remembered with great affection by all the members of the community. Poladian was an Armenian from Lebanon . He was invited in 1952 to teach in the College but he remained in Calcutta all his life. Poladian was the principal of the Armenian College from 1952 to 1979 and 1982 – 1988.

The Armenian Philanthropic Academy was first affiliated to the Calcutta University in 1870. According to the records of the University of Calcutta the first batch of students from the Academy were sent up for the Entrance (later Matriculation) Examination in 1870.

The Academy was affiliated to the University of Calcutta up to the F.A. (Intermediate Arts) standard by the name of " Armenian College " in 1888. However, the then management did not favor the advisability of continuing permanently the college classes and they were closed in 1892. The Institution is now known as Armenian College & Philanthropic Academy , and is affiliated to the Board of Secondary Education, West Bengal.

In 1949 the Armenian College and Davidian Girls' School were educationally amalgamated with the object of improving the strained financial conditions of both institutions. Up to 1954 the girls were sent up for School Final Examinations of the Board of Secondary Education, West Bengal , as private candidates. On January 27, 1953 permission for co-education was granted to the College by the Board and since then the girls have been sent up for the School Final Examinations as regular candidates.

Later on, in compliance with the educational policy of the Government of India and the States, the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy sought recognition as a Higher Secondary School with permission to prepare candidates for the Higher Secondary Examinations, leading to a three-year degree course, and was recognized as such with effect from April 1, 1958. On the adoption of the Higher Secondary Examinations pattern by the Senior Cambridge Certificate Examinations, it was felt advisable by the College authorities to switch over to the latter in view of its wide recognition outside India . An application for affiliation was submitted to the authorities concerned who considered it favorably. The new course of studies was introduced in January 1962.

The College prepares students for the School Final Examinations of the Board of Secondary Education, West Bengal . Both Modern and Classical Armenian were recognized as examination subjects, the former as a vernacular, the latter as a classical language. Besides Armenian and English (the medium of instruction) Bengali was also taught as the local language. Iranian language was also taught to the pupils who had come from Iran and were supposed to go back after completing their studies. In addition to the compulsory and optional subjects prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education, Armenian History and Religious Knowledge are also taught through the medium of Armenian.

However, during the last ten years classical Armenian and Bengali languages have been abandoned as the majority of pupils are from Iran (who are ethnic Armenians) and Armenia where classical Armenian is used only by narrow specialists.

Prizes are awarded to those students of each class who secure the highest marks in the respective subjects. Besides class prizes there are also special prizes for Armenian language, for Music, for Religious Knowledge, for Good Conduct. Prizes are presented on the Prize Day, usually held on February 7, Davidian Girls' School Founder's Day. The Armenian College Founder's Day (April 2) is celebrated by the Combined Schools' Annual Concert.

The students of the College were taught to sing, to play the piano and violin. There was a College Choir and Orchestra. They performed not only in the College on Armenian and Indian national holidays but were also invited by different governmental organizations and diplomatic missions in Calcutta to perform during particular events and celebrations.

The Armenian College was among the first educational institutions in Calcutta to adopt scouting in 1911. From the very beginning the Armenian Scouting team won many prizes such as: the Ballygunge United Cross Country Races, the Kent Signalling Cup, the Ingonyama Cup and Fram Juvenile Cup in 1912. The visiting Commissioner of Scouts from London declared that in his opinion the Armenian College Scout Troop was the best in the East.

In the beginning of the World War II Dr. P.K. Biswas, Chief of the Air Raid Precaution Casualty Service, requested the College Scout Troop to join his service. Armenian Scouts were enrolled in First Aid work and local Civil Guards. Armenian Scouts were involved again in First Aid Work during the Indo-Pakistan War in September 1965. According to the records till 1968, Armenian College Scout Troop almost every year has been the winner in Calcutta and West Bengal state, and the best scout of the year was declared an Armenian.

However, in 1970s when many Armenian families left Calcutta for other countries, the Scout Troop was dissolved. But another famous team of the Armenian College , the Armenian College Rugby Team (which has been an active participant in the rugby since 1890, when the Calcutta Rugby Union Challenge Cup Tournament was inaugurated) still exists, participates in different competitions and wins. That is due to those students of the Armenian College who came from Iran in large numbers in 1980s, and have graduated from the Armenian College . They later got admission in the Calcutta University or other colleges but they still participate in various rugby tournaments under the name of the Armenian Sports Club.

This team have been playing both at the club level and at the national level since 1991. Till 1999 every year they won prestigious rugby tournaments. In 1997 and 1998 four players from the Armenian Rugby Team were chosen to join the National Rugby Team of India to participate in international tournaments. Armenian children from India , Iran and Iraq had always been studying at the Armenian College . But till the 1950s they were mostly from India . However, when India gained independence, the Armenians started to leave the country resulting a decline in the Armenian population. The authorities of the College thus started inviting pupils from Iran and Iraq . In this regard the Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta sends letters to the Armenian Church Committees in Iran and Iraq to inform the Armenian families about the admission to the Armenian College of Calcutta . The Church Committees of these countries form the batches of children and organize their departure.

As we see, till 1980 the number of pupils was high, having its maximum in 1961, 1962 and 1973 (206, 204 and 179 respectively). However, after the revolution in Iran in 1979, the number of students from Iran declined due to the strict regulations imposed by the Islamic leadership. The new Government of Iran did not allow the already-prepared batches of Armenian children to leave for India.

During the Iran-Iraq war a number of students from Iran was sent to India by their parents. But they were taken back when the war ended.

One of the reasons for the decline in the number of pupils is that the parents, seeking better education opportunities for their children, send them to developed countries.

Till the 1970s the standard of the Armenian College was very high. Highly qualified specialists were teaching there. But as the majority left India and elderly people died, nobody was left to run the College properly. So, in 1991 there were only 38 students, almost all of them being Iranian nationals.

Of course, this problem was a big concern for the Armenian community in general and the Church Committee in particular.

On December 7, 1988 there was a disastrous earthquake in Soviet Armenia. More than 30 thousand people died leaving 400 thousand out of shelter. The Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta sent financial help to the Earthquake Fund. It also suggested the Government of Armenia to send a batch of orphan children to study in the Armenian College of Calcutta (since many children became orphans during the earthquake). But as the then Soviet regime did not encourage such foreign contacts, this proposal remained un-responded.

In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Armenian Church Committee of India renewed its invitation and already in 1992 the first batch of Armenian children from independent Republic of Armenia landed in Calcutta . In 1994 another batch arrived from Armenia , and the number of students rose up to 97.

However, due to some technical problems and misunderstanding, all the children from Armenia were taken back. As we can see from the Table, in 1997 and 1998 there were only six students (three boys and three girls) in the College.

In 1999 Echmiatsin took over the Armenian College in Calcutta . A bishop was appointed as the administrator of the College who chose children from orphanages and among poor families in Armenia . The first batch of 30 children with eight teachers arrived in Calcutta in November 1999.

The next batch is expected to arrive in January 2001. The Armenian Church Committee has decided to raise the number of students till 300. After the completion of their studies, these children will go back and be of use to Armenia.

Many ex-pupils have not directly helped the College but they have done charitable work. For instance, in Abadan they helped establish schools and a church. In West Bengal an ex-pupil founded a primary school for Indian children in the coal-fields of Asansol

The founder of the Armenian College Old Boys' Union was Avetic Gregory Arratoon. After finishing the Armenian College he left for Burma . During his stay in Burma , through his contacts with ex-pupils of Java, he did a great deal to infuse enthusiasm among his numerous friends and ex-pupils with the idea of helping their Alma Mater.

It was during this period that the Burma-based ex-pupils of the College supported five boys in the College at their expense. Similarly the ex-pupils of Java established the 'Batavia Foundation', which supported fifteen students in the College for a long time.

It was due to Arratoon's enthusiasm that a number of affluent ex-pupils subscribed to a fund intended to help the College in employing good teachers and also to aid educational institutions in Julfa ( Iran ). This fund could be subscribed for due to collective efforts of the Java, Calcutta and London-based ex-pupils, and came to be known as the London Education Trust.

Imbued with the idea of helping the College and establishing a link between Old boys and new students, Arratoon founded the Armenian College Old Boys' Union on December 16, 1909 and was elected the Union 's First President.

The historical visit of His Holiness Vazgen I in 1963 stirred the Union into renewed activity resulting in the attempt at revival of the Annual Dinner and the celebration of the Golden Jubilee, which was celebrated in December 1965 in the Armenian College.

The aims and objectives of the Union were to create bonds between the old boys and the College and between them and their Alma Mater. A pleasant way of fulfilling one of the aims has been the holding of formal and informal dinners, which gave opportunity for social contacts between the members and their families and friends.

The Armenians started to leave Calcutta in large numbers when gold mines were opened in Australia . The next stream of departure was in and after 1947 when many private companies were nationalized and the slogan ‘ India for Indians' was implemented. The Armenians mostly left for England , Indonesia and Australia. Subsequently Armenians left India after 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. By and large they migrated to England , the United States and Australia in search of better education and job opportunities.

In conclusion it could be stated that friendly relations between Armenia and India exist for more than four thousand years. The relations were mostly economic in nature. The journeys were mutual. In Armenia from 149 B.C. till A.D. 301 there existed a Hindu colony, which had more than twenty settlements, temples with their priests, a large army.

Armenia was situated on the crossroad of trade routes from East to West and West to East. Some Armenian towns were considered as joint trade points. Armenian traders carried muslins, spices, precious stones, herbs from India to Europe, and from Armenia to India they mostly carried various dyes, colored leather and cotton.

India was so familiar to Armenia that one can find detailed information about India in ancient Armenian manuscripts starting from the 5 th century A.D. The identity of culture, language, mythology, creative endeavors have brought the two people together. No trace is to be found in any sources, chronicles that would hint at some hostility or conflict between them.

In the 18th century Armenians were mostly residing in Madras , Bombay , Calcutta , Surat . Madras is significant for the Armenians. This is the place where the first Armenian journal named Azdarar was started on October 16, 1794, the first Armenian Constitution was written here and progressive Armenians of Madras have their tangible share in preparing of the freedom movement in Armenia.

The Armenians in India can justly be proud of a glorious past but their present and future are not at all bright. They have greatly decreased in number. Now there are hardly 100 Armenians in India , mostly in Calcutta.

The Armenians lost their position of eminent merchants in India . On the one hand it was due to their inability to compete with the British who were equipped with powerful means and were backed by their strong governments. On the other hand it was due to their ties with the Europeans through intermarriages, which greatly weakened their national cohesion. The Armenians left India for Australia , England , the United States where they could find better education and job opportunities.

However, in spite of all these changes, the Armenian community in India still remains distinct.

Now the main concern of the Armenian Church Committee of Calcutta is to preserve the Armenian colony and its properties. With the efforts of this Church Committee the Armenian College & Philanthropic Academy still functions. Due to preserve the Armenian community, we would suggest the Church Committee to invite young Armenians, especially from Armenia where the economic situation still remains uncertain and unemployment is very high. These Armenians could be offered jobs inside the community (in Church, College, Clubs). Armenian professional specialists can share their skills in different joint ventures, e.g. in jewelry business where the Armenians are considered to be excellent specialists as jewelers as well as cutters of precious stones (especially diamonds); in construction works (buildings, bridges, hydroelectric power plants, etc.); in science and technology (physics, radio physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, information technology), etc.

It would be also suggested to keep in the community the graduates of the Armenian College . Living in Calcutta during their studies (8 or 10 years), these youngsters get used to India, Indian way of life, climate, people, they speak Hindi fluently and Bengali besides English hence they can be of use not only to the Armenian community but also for the Indian society.

The survival of the Armenians outside Armenia in general and in India in particular has been due to the preservation of their national religion, language and customs, avoidance of inter-marriages in the past, loyalty to the government, concentration mainly on commerce and India's age-old acceptance of her minority communities and her tolerance towards other peoples' religions, languages and customs.