Dutch & Armenian Cemetery — Attraction in Gujarat

The Dutch Cemetery in Surat stands as a poignant testament to the city's historical tapestry, a quiet sanctuary that breathes life into the tales of a bygone era. Spread over a serene expanse, this cemetery encapsulates the Dutch influence on Surat during the colonial period.

As one enters the gates, a tranquil ambiance envelops the visitor. The well-maintained pathways wind through the cemetery, flanked by weathered tombstones that bear witness to centuries past. Each grave tells a silent story, engraved with names, dates, and often adorned with intricate carvings that reflect the artistry of that period. The solemnity of the surroundings fosters a reflective atmosphere, inviting visitors to delve into the narratives etched in stone.

The Dutch Cemetery is not merely a burial ground; it is a living archive. The tombstones, with inscriptions in Dutch and other languages, provide a glimpse into the lives of those laid to rest. The diversity of names and backgrounds speaks to the cosmopolitan nature of Surat during the Dutch presence. Some graves belong to soldiers, merchants, and colonial officials, their final resting place a reflection of the city's role as a hub of trade and cultural exchange.

The meticulous restoration efforts deserve commendation. The cemetery, although weathered by time, stands as a tribute to the resilience of historical landmarks. The architectural details of the tombstones and the surrounding landscape have been carefully preserved, allowing visitors to step back in time. The Dutch Cemetery serves as a bridge between the past and present, fostering a connection with Surat's rich heritage.

Visitors seeking a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern Surat will find solace in the Dutch Cemetery. It is a site where one can appreciate the confluence of diverse cultures and histories that have shaped the city. Whether a history enthusiast or a casual visitor, the Dutch Cemetery offers a unique, reflective experience that leaves an indelible mark on the soul. In the heart of Surat, this sacred ground beckons, inviting all to pay homage to the lives and stories eternally preserved within its...

The Dutch as well as Armenian cemeteries at Surat are situated in a locality known as 'Gulam Falia' near the mail road leading to Katargam Gate. The Dutch tombs are of various sizes and shapes, but the one that excels all the rest in magnificence is the grandiose mausoleum of Baron Adrian Van Reede and, is described here in detail. The Armenian Cemeteries

The Armenian cemetery is situated adjacent to that of the Dutch. Though, the graves in this cemetery, arc bearing a large number of inscription slabs they have no super-structures raised above them as is the case in the English and Dutch cemeteries. The oldest epitaph is the one of Armenian verse over the tombstone of a lady named Marinas, the wife of the priest Woksan, who was a crown to her husband, according to the proverbs of Solomon. The date of her death is mentioned as 1028 of the Armenian era ( Christian year 1579).

There is also a beautiful mortuary chapel, but there is no date showing the year of its construction. However, the same may be concluded from the tombstone over the grave which is inside this chapel, bearing the date 1695. Its Amenian inscription is rendered as under : While nearly two hundred graves lie outside this chapel, it is the only tomb situated inside this building. It thus shows that the deceased must have belonged to a family of very high repute at Surat. He was the only son of Khwaja Phanoos Kalandar, an eminent merchant of Julfa and the acknowledged leader of the nationality in Persia and India. The records of the English East India Company in London also show that an important agreement between the company and the Armenian nation represented by this magnate, who is described as an Armenian merchant of eminency and an inhabitant of Isfahan in Persia was signed on 22 June 1688. It appears that the elder Phanoos settled down at Surat, and the body of his only son, who died there in 1695, was as a special privilege, in token of the high position held by his father, buried within the mortuary chapel in the Armenian cemetery...

The tombs in English, Dutch and Armenian cemeteries at Surat are reckoned among the most important historical monuments in the city. It is reported that there was so much competition between the Dutch and the English in Surat to impress upon the natives their importance and power that they put mausoleums instead of tomb stones. Many of these are so ridiculously large and ornamental resembling Muslim tombs rather than the ordinary tomb stones in Europe.

One of the tomb in the Dutch cemetery is quoted as unequalled among the structures of its kind (barring a few) in Europe. However, Mr. A.F. Bellasis who had given a detailed account of these monuments and their epitaphs in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bombay for January 1861 was evidently apprehensive that within another fifty years or so the majority of these monuments, totally uncared for as they were in his time, would disappear.

Thanks, however, to Lord Curzon's solicitude for India's historical monuments, and to the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India, established forty years after Bellasis wrote and which has under its charge a legacy of monuments and archaeological sites of national importance that these cemeteries in Surat are declared as protected monuments. In-spite of this, majority of these monuments are showing the signs of serious deterioration and it is feared that if measures to conserve them are not expedited the city would loose its historic memorials...