ARMENIAN CHURCH

The Armenian community of Dhaka played a significant role in Bengali trade and commerce in the 17th and 18th centuries.
In the early part of 18th Century, Armenians settled in Dhaka, then one of the commercial centres in Bengal. They initially built a chapel and cemetery at Tejgagon, five miles from Dhaka. The oldest tombstone is “Avetis” an Armenian merchant who died on 15 August 1714.
Apart from Dhaka there was a significant Armenian presence in Saidabad (a suburb of the capital Murshidabad), Hoogli, Kolkata, Chinsura, Patna and Kasimbazar. A neighborhood in Dhaka - Armanitola - bears their name; there the Church of the Holy Resurrection and the cemetery established by the community in 1781 stand as major landmarks. The records of Church of the Holy Resurrection list over 200 deaths between 1833-1918, over 250 baptisms and over 50 marriages. Their assertive presence, however, began to decline from the beginning of British rule.Michael Joseph Martin (Mikel Housep Martirossian) is reported to have been the last Armenian in Dhaka

Quila Aurongabad

This remarkable architectural creation of Lalbagh Fort has survived decay and destruction for about four hundred years. It is imperative that this structure like many other ones are conserved by the government so that the future generation can appreciate these works and feel proud of being part of a rich heritage and history.