Armenians in Dhaka

Early Days: Armenians came to Dhaka as merchants and traders beginning in the early 1600s. They pioneered the jute trade and continued it until the second half of the 19th century when British companies began monopolizing the industry. In 1781 the Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection was established to serve the ever-increasing Armenian community. The church was built on the ruins of an earlier chapel in the old part of Dhaka, with the land being donated by Aga Minas Catchif. Over time, the neighborhood adjoining the Church came to be known as Armanitola (meaning place of the Armenians) and the street that fronts the Church was named Armenian Road.

The Church itself consists of a flat roofed rectangular hall nearly 50 feet long. It was built with brick and plastered on both sides. A cemetery surrounds the Church on three sides, with about 400 graves, the last having been erected in 1987. The highlight of the Church is a famous bell. The clock of the Church was also famous, it was built by Johans Caru Piet Sircis. In 1837, a steeple serving as a clock tower was added towards the west near the belfry. Unfortunately, it collapsed during the earthquake of 1897. By the late 19th century Armenians had nearly all left Dhaka.

Today: Armenians are nearly non-existent in Dhaka or any part of Bangladesh. However, remnants of their community in Dhaka still stands. The original church, now known simply as Armenian Church is still in its original location, abutted to the church is the cemetery where numerous Armenian tombstones can be found—some so old that the engravings are no longer legible.