for an extract of some Armenian graves at the Old Roman Catholic Cemetery at Agra, click here
The following is extracted from “Armenians in India from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. By Mesrovb Jacob Seth”
Martyrose’s Chapel
The Oldest Christian Edifice in Northern India
Few visitors to Agra know of the existence in that historic city of an old Christian mausoleum which has for over three centuries without the ravages of time and the elements. This Mausoleum which is not built of marble, like the world-famed Taj, is nevertheless the oldest Christian structure in Northern India, having been erected in 1611 at the old Armenian Cemetery of Agra over the grave of a very wealthy and highly pious and charitable Armenian merchant, Khojah Martyrose. And as the name Martyrose means Martyr in the Armenian language, the place has been called “Martyr’s Chapel”, which is a misnomer, if not misleading, as the Armenian merchant Martyrose who lies buried in that Mortuary Chapel, did not win a martyr’s glorious crown.
It is an octagonal building of masonry surmounted by a beautiful dome, with a cross on the cupola over the dome. As you enter the chapel, you will find, on the right hand niche, two mural tablets of sandstone, one with an inscription in Armenian at the head, and the other with a Persian inscription at the foot of the grave of the pious Armenian merchant.”
The transliteration of the Persian inscription (above) is as follows:
“Inja madfoon asth Khwajeh Martinus Armanee moqdesee khe khod ra qolam a Christhus me gofth va choon saheb a khair bood har cheh ba khod dashth beh nazr a an hazrath beh foqera isar khard. Ekh hezar shish sad o yazda az thavallode a hazrath a Isa”
The Archaeological Department have, in the interest of archaeology, placed a white marble slab over the grave of the Armenian Martyrose, with the following inscription which is a translation, though not a correct one, of the Persian inscription, which says:
“Here lies holy khwaja Mortenepus, Armenian, who was a professed disciple of Christus and who was a righteous man, whatever he had he gave in charity to the poor, in token of fidelity to his adored master. In the year one thousand six hundred and eleven from the birth of Christ”
As there are some glaring mistakes in the above translation, we shall therefore give a correct rendering of the original Persian inscription, as copied by us in 1919 and it is thus:
“Here lies interred the Armenian Khwajeh Martinus, the pilgrim, who called himself the slave of Christus, and as he was of a charitable disposition, he gave whatever he possessed, in charity, to the poor out of respect for the Lord. [In the year] one thousand, six hundred and eleven from the birth of the Lord Jesus”
The Armenian epitah can be romanized, thus:
“Hangav e ais tapanus Phirbashin wordin Mugdesi Martyrose Juqaie vakhtzanetsav e Akra khaqakhee ev aprankhum yet Astutzo vasun yiur hogon.
Thiv Haiotz 1060”
There have been several translations of the Persian inscription since 1876 by Dr. Fuhrer and others, but none of them have been rendered into English correctly, but the Armenian inscription is being translated here for the first time and it is as follows:
“In this tomb rested the pilgrim Martyrose, son of Pheerbashee of Julfa. Died at the city of Agra and gave his goods to God for his soul, in the year 1060 of the Armenian era“.[follow the link for an explanation on the dates of the era]
The Armenian era commenced in the year 551 A.D. so that the year 1060 of that era will be equivalent to 1611 A.D. which corresponds with the date given in the Persian inscription.
Below are translations of old Armenian inscriptions at the Cemetery at Laskharur near Agra (1611-1927)
Extracted from Armenians in India Page 122.
1. This holy cross is in memory of Agah Murad son of Leon of Bitlis. Died in the year 1060 of the Armenian era (1611 A.D.)
2. Bashkhoom son of Satoor. died at Agra in the year 1062 of the Armenian era (1613 A.D.).
3. Zachariah, son of Amir Khan. died at Agra in the year 1062 of the Armenian era (1613 A.D.).
4. This holy cross is in memory of Rev. Astwatzatoor, son of Thasaleh of Julfa. Died at Agra in the year 1063 of the Armenian erea (1614 A.D.)
5. This holy cross is in memory of Egath, son of Atir Asath. Died at Agra in the year 1064 of the Armenian era (1615 A.D.)
6. Rev. Mekhithar. died at Agra in the year 1064 of the Armenian era (1616 A.D.).
7. This holy cross is in memory of Sookias, the son of Sqoob of Julfa. died at Agra in the year 1064 of the Armenian era (1616).
8. This holy cross is in memory of Khamalbeg son of Khojah Soolthanoom of Julfa. died at Agra in the year 1065 of the Armenian era (1616 A.D.).
9. Zachariah, son of Amir Khan. died at Agra in the year 1069 of the Armenian era (1620 A.D.).
10. This holy cross is in memory of Petrus son of Pogose. died in the year 1072 of the Armenian era (1623 A.D.).
11. This is the resting place of Safar who died in the year 1076 of the Armenian era (1627 A.D.)
12. This is the tomb of Safar, son of Mackertich. Died in the year 1076 of the Armenian era (1627 A.D.).
13. Rev. Sookias. died in the year 1079 of the Armenian era (1630 A.D.).
14. This is the tomb of Eldood son of Booniath who departed to Christ in the year 1090 of the Armenian era (1641 A.D.).
15. This is the tomb of Johanness of Astabad who died in the year 1091 of the Armenian era (1642 A.D.).
16. This is the tomb of Khojah Murad who departed to Christ in the year 1093 of the Armenian Era (1644 A..D.).
17. This is the tomb of Avetick, the son of Malijan who departed to Christ in the year 1094 of the Armenian era (1645 A.D.).
18. This is the resting place of Aslan of Amat. Died in the year 1095 of the Armenian era (1646 A.D.).
19. This is the tomb of Margar son of Baqoom who departed to Christ in the year 1096 of the Armenian era (1647 A.D.).
20. This is the tomb of Kirakose who departed to Christ in his young age in the year 1098 of the Armenian era (1649 A.D.).
21. This is the resting place of Murad, son of ……. who died at Agra in the year 1099 of the Armenian era (1650 A.D.).
22. This is the tomb of Alexan the son of Aqniath of Julfa who died at Agra in the year 1100 of the Armenian era (1651 A.D.).
23. This is the tomb of Ayad the son of Amirphajeh. Died in the year 1100 of the Armenian era (1651 A.D.).
24. In this city, which is
Agra, I Zachariah, son of Edgar, trusted in my Lord and found a resting place in the year 1100 of the Amenian era (1651 A.D.)
25. This is the tomb of Agazar, son of Martyrose of the Mamikonian family. Died in the year 1100 of the Armenian era (1651 A.D.)
26. This is the tomb of Galoost who died at Agra in the year 1103 of the Armenian era (1654 A.D.)
27. This is the tomb of Hyrapiet, the son of Mathews of Julfa. Died in the year 1104 of the Armenian era (1655 A.D.)
28. This is the tomb of Agah Samuel of the Delakhian family who was murdered by the Jats in the year 1104 of the Armenian era (1655 A.D.).
29. This is the tomb of Hakobjan the son of Khojah Murad. Died in the year 1106 of the Armenian era (1657 A.D.)
30. This is the tomb of Agah Qarzeh of the Khojentz family. Died in the year 1107 of the Armenian era (1658 A.D.).
31. This is the tomb of Franc, the son of Gregory the Master mason. Died in the year 1107 of the Armenian era (1659 A.D.).
32. This is the tomb of Hovanjan of the family of Qalandar who departed to Christ, in the year 1108 of the Armenian era (1659 A.D.). Aged 20 years.
33. This is the tomb of Bashoom of the Khoobentz family. Died in the year 1109 of the Armenian era (1660 A.D.).
34. This is the tomb of Vardan of Lunjan. Died in the year 1109 of the Armenian era (1660 A.D.).
35. This is the tomb of Eaqoob (Jacob) the son of Safar. Died in the year 1110 of the Armenian era. (1661 A.D.).
36. This is the tomb of Agazar of Julfa. Died in the year 1111 of the Armenian era (1662 A.D.).
37. This is the tomb of Johannes of Julfa, a merchant who died in the year 1114 of the Armenian era (1665 A.D.).
38. This is the resting place of Rev. Johanness, the son of Jacob of Lunjan. Died in the year 1117 of the Armenian era (1668 A.D.).
39. This is the tomb of Khamal, the son of Jacob. Died in the year 1119 of the Armenian era (1670 A.D.).
40. This is the tomb of Rev. Bagdassar. Died in the year 1120 of the Armenian era (1671 A.D.).
41. This is the tomb of Mibjan, son of Murad of Julfa. Died in the year 1120 of the Armenian era (1671 A.D.).
42. This is the tomb of Johanness of the Turjamentz family. Died in the year 1122 of the Armenian era (1673 A.D.)
43. This is the tomb of Hovanjan, the son of David of Julfa. Died in the year 1122 of the Armenian era (1673 A.D.).
44. This is the tomb of Soolthanoom of the Qalander family. Died in the year 1122 of the Armenian era (1673 A.D.).
45. This is the tomb of Phanus [Stephen], the son of David who departed to God at Agra in the year 1121 of the Armenian era (1672 A.D.).
45a. This is the tomb of* [name obliterated], the son of Gregory, the Master mason. Died in the year 1125 of the Armenian era (1676 A.D.).
* His brother Franc died in 1659. See No. 31. Their father, the master builder, may as a contemporary, have taken part in the building of the world-famed Taj and the other architectural master-pieces of Shah Jehan
46. This is the tomb of Manook who is from the city of Venice. Died in the year 63 of the era of Azaria (1678 A.D.).
47. This is the tomb of Mackertoom, the son of Samuel. Died in the year 63 of the era of Azaria (1678 A.D.).
48. This is the tomb of Mackertoom, the son of Arbab Johanness who departed to Christ in the year 63 of the era of Azaria (1678 A.D.).
49. This is the tomb of Agazar, the son of Martyrose. Died in the year 1128 of the Armenian era (1679 A.D.).
50. This is the tomb of Mackertich, the servant of Christ and the son of Joakim. Died in the year 1130 of the Armenian era (1681 A.D.).
50a. This is the tomb of Jacob of Samson. Died in the year 1133 of the Armenian era (1684 A.D.).
51. This is the tomb of Arakiel of the Chinikentz family. Died in the year 1134 of the Armenian era (1685 A.D.).
52. This is the tomb of Agah Carapiet of the family of Ekaz. Died in the year 1137 of the Armenian era (1688 A.D.).
53. This is the tomb of Pogose, the dyer. [Undated]
54. This is the tomb of Agah Zini, the son of Petrus of the family of Zinentz who departed to God in the year 1137 of the Armenian era (1688 A.D.).
55. This is the tomb of Hovanjan, the son of Pogose of the Jrookentz family of Julfa who died in Christ in the year 1150 of the Armenian era (1701 A.D.).
Note: No burials seem to have taken place between the years 1707 and 1774. Could they have been buried elsewhere? Unlikely, as there was plenty of space in that cemetery for burials. We [Seth] know however that with the removal of the Imperial capital to Delhi, the population of Agra dwindled down completely and the Armenians, who were great merchants and military men, may have followed the Imperial camp, hence the non-occurrence of deaths at Agra between those years.
Another strange thing is that we do not find any Armenian ladies buried in that cemetery from 1611-1777. Evidently no Armenian ladies came out to India, with their husbands in those days.
Note: No burials seem to have taken place between the years 1707 and 1774. Could they have been buried elsewhere? Unlikely, as there was plenty of space in that cemetery for burials. We [Seth] know however that with the removal of the Imperial capital to Delhi, the population of Agra dwindled down completely and the Armenians, who were great merchants and military men, may have followed the Imperial camp, hence the non-occurrence of deaths at Agra between those years.
Another strange thing is that we do not find any Armenian ladies buried in that cemetery from 1611-1777. Evidently no Armenian ladies came out to India, with their husbands in those days.
56. This is the tomb of Catchick the son of Arakiel. Died in the year 92 of the era of Azaria (1707 A.D.).
57. This is the tomb of Samuel, son of the late Zorabbeg. Died in the year 159 of the era of Azaria (1774 A.D.).
58. This is the tomb of Nazar, the son of Baboom of Charsoo who departed from this world in the year 1774.
59. This is the tomb of Petrus, the son of Astwazatoor, of Arabkir who departed to the Lord in the 26th January 1775.
60. This is to tomb of Pogose, the son of Booniath of Astabad who departed from this world in the year 1225 of the Armenian era (1776 A.D.).
61. This is the tomb of Rev. Arathoon who died in Christ in the year 1776.
62. This is the tomb of Zorababel, the son of Gorgin of Tiflis. Died in the year 1776.
63. This is the tomb of Mariam Khanoom, the daughter of Lazar who departed to the Lord on the 13th June 1777.
64. This is the tomb of Malcom of Astrakhan who departed to the Lord on the 30th May 1778.
65. This is the tomb of Gabriel, the son of Moses of Tiflis who departed to the Lord on the 12th January 1779.
66. This is the tomb of Elina, the daughter of David Khan of the family of Arqoothentz who departed to the Lord on the 6th December 1779.
67. This is the tomb of Anna, the wife of Martyrose, who departed to the Lord on the 13th April 1780.
68. This is the tomb of Anna, the daughter of David Khan of the family of Arqoothentz, who departed to the Lord on the 23rd April 1780.
69. Thomas the son of Khojamall of Julfa, who departed to the Lord at Delhi in 1790. His servant Chichroo placed this tablet over his grave.
70. This is the tomb of Anna, the daughter of Satoor, who departed from this world in the year 1783.
71. This is the tomb of prince Simon Khan, the son of Arathoon, who died by a bullet in war and was buried here at Agra on 31st January 1783.
72. This is the tomb of Ustad [Master] Shah Nazar Khan*, son of Allavery of Qaiquli, who was an expert in the art of casting cannons. He departed to the Lord with a good faith on the 25th April in the year 1784.* Shah Nazar Khan’s son, Mackertich, known as Shah Mirza, died at Gwalior in 1823 and was buried in the Armenian cemetery at Agra near his father’s grave. See No. 94.
73. This is the tomb of Aaria, the son of Arathoon of Kars, who was called Haghverdibeg. He departed to the Lord at Agra on the 22nd September 1786.
74. This is the tomb of Captain Agazar, the son of Jacob of Maragh. He died in the Lord at Agra on the 5th January, 1793, aged 61 years.
75. This is the tomb of Anna, the wife of the late Michael of Julfa, who departed from this world in 1794.
76. This is the tomb of Gorginbeg Orosti, who died in the Lord at Agra in the year 1798.
77. This is the tomb of Merine, the daughter of Manook Khalam of Julfa and the wife of Galoost, who departed from this world at Agra on the 30th March 1801, on a Saturday, leaving her son Agah Michael as a remembrance. May God preserve Him. Amen.
78. This is the tomb of Marooth Joseph Marooth. Died in the Lord at Agra on the 3rd January 1802, aged 41 years.
There is also an inscription in English as follows:
Here lies the body of Marooth Joseph who died 3rd January 1802, Aged 41 years.
79. This is the tomb of Joanna*, the daughter of Elchee [envoy] Johanness of Julfa and the wife of Petrus of Erivan, who departed this life at Agra on Thursday, the 6th February 1802, leaving her son, Captain Jacob, as a remembrance, who God may preserve. (There is also an inscription in Persian).
*She was the mother of Colonel Jacob Petrus of Gwalior
80. This is the tomb of Johanness of Qauquli, who is called Aivazbeg Khan. He was a Commandant and died at Agra on the 17th December 1803 aged 52 years.
81. This is the tomb of Anna Khathoon, the daughter of Gorginbeg, the Georgian, who died in the Lord at Agra on the 11th January 1804, aged 15 years.
82. This is the tomb of Stephen, the son of Melik Petrus of Erivan, who departed from this world in the 6th March 1805.
83. This is the tomb of Hripsimah, the wife of Gorginbeg, the Georgian, who died in the Lord on the 8th August 1809. (There is also an inscription in Persian).
84. This is the tomb of Kirakose* the son of Arathoon of Kars, who was called Novroozbeg. He departed from this world on the 19th July 1809.
*His widow died in 1817. See No. 90.
85. This is the tomb of Pheri, * the daughter of the late Petrus of Erivan and the wife of Satoor Arathoon of Julfa, who departed this life at Gwalior on the 13th January 1813.
*She was the sister of Colonel Jacob Petrus of Gwalior and as her mother, Joanna Petrus (See No. 79) was buried in the Armenian cemetery at Agra, she was also buried there, the body having been brought down from Gwalior
86. This is the tomb of Satoor*, the son of Arathoon of Julfa, who departed this life at Gwalior on the 17th August 1817.
*He was the husband of Pheri, the sister of Colonel Jacob Petrus of Gwalior (See No. 85). His body was also brought down from Gwalior and interred next to his wife’s grave in the Armenian cemetery at Agra
87. In this tomb lies interred the body of Rev. Petrus, the son of Sarkies of Karabagh in Armenia. He died in the Lord in this city of Akbarabad (Agra), on the 15th June 1816, aged 57 years. Fathers and brothers in Christ pray for him and may the Lord God have mercy on you. (This grave is near the Chapel)
88. This is the tomb of Meherban Khanoom, the daughter of Dabidbeg of Georgia and the wife of Michaejan Thomas. Died in the Lord in 1816. Aged 32 years. (There is also an inscription in Persian).
89. This is the tomb of Gabriel, the son of Daniel Agabab of Tiflis, who died in the Lord at the city of Agra on the 26th October 1816. Aged 81 years.
90. This is the tomb of Annakhathoon, the wife of Kirakose who was known as Novroozbeg. She died in the Lord in ripe old age, on the 1st February1817 at Agra.
91. This is the tomb of Khathlina, the daughter of Jooan and the wife of Astwatzatoor, who died in the Lord at Agra on the 15th November 1818. Aged 19 years.
92. This is the tomb of Thagoohi Khathoon* (Regina) the daughter of Petrus and the wife of Mackertich, known as Shah Mirza, who died in the Lord at the city of Agra on the 1st June 1821. Aged 62 yeas.
*She was another sister of Colonel Jacob Petrus of Gwalior. Her grave is next to her mother’s grave in the Armenian cemetery at Agra. (See No. 79). Her husband died in 1823. (See No. 94).
93. This is the tomb of Petrus, the son of Gorginbeg Khan of Tiflis, who died in the Lord on the 4th August, 1822 at Agra. Aged 85 years. (There is a long inscription in Persian).
94. This is the tomb of Mackertich*, the son of the late Shah Nazar Khan. He was known as Shah Mirza. He died in the Lord at Gwalior on the 25th December 1823, and his body was brought down to Akbarabad (Agra). Aged 65 years.
*He was the son of the famous Shah Nazar Khan (See No. 72) and the husband of Colonel Jacob Petrus’ sister, Thagoohi Khathoon who died in 1821 (see No. 92).
95. This is the tomb of Sophia Khanoom, the daughter of Arathoon and the wife of David George. Died in the Lord on the 16th may 1823, at Agra. Aged 22years.
96. This is the tomb of Astwatzatoor, the son of Johanness, who died in the Lord on the 21st June 1825 at Agra. Aged 25 years and 22 days.
97. This is the tomb of Petrus, the son of Barsegh, who died in the Lord on the 2nd April 1826 at Akbarabad (Agra). Aged 43 years.
There is also an English inscrption thus:
Petruse Parsick died 2nd April 1826. Aged 43 years.
98. This is the tomb of Elina Khathoon, the daughter of Kirakose and the wife of Johannes, Jacob of Constantinople. died in the Lord at Akbarabad (Agra) on the 3rd August 1827. Aged 35 years.
There is also an inscription in Persian
99. This is the tomb of Captain Simon Gregory of Hamadan, who died at Gwalior on the 27th May 1828 and his body was brought down to Agra. Aged 53 years.
100. This is the tomb of Captain Johanness Gregory of Constantinople, who died in the Lord at Gwalior on the 1st July 1829 and his body was brought down and buried at Akbarabad (Agra).
(He was known as Gregory Khan)
101. In loving member of Magdalena, widow of Petrus Parsick, died 21st January 1831. Aged 30 years. This slab erected by her grandson in January 1902 replaces an upright one of sandstone showings signs of decay. (Her husband Petrus Parsick, died in 1826, see No. 97).
102. Sacred to the memory of Master Petruse Parsick, who departed this life on the 12th August 1832. Aged 6 years. The remains of his parents are also deposited underneath:
Happy Petruse early blest
Rest in peaceful slumber rest,
What is life? A vapour past
What is death? A dream the last.
Removed to heaven by God your King
Will angels joined his praises sing
(Inscriptions Nos. 101 and 102 are in English only)
103. This is the tomb of Anna Khathoon the wife of Manook of Kabul. Died in the Lord on the 4th January 1833 in the Porsa village and the body was brought down and buried at Agra. Aged 55 years. (Adjoining this grave there is one with an inscription in Persian).
104. This is the tomb of Zorab Simon of Kabul, who died at Agra on the 12th January 1849. Aged 42 years. There is also an inscription in English as follows:
Sacred to the member of Mr. Zorab Simon of Cabul, Armenian merchant, who departed this life on the 12th of January 1849. Aged 42 years.
(This is an isolated grave in the cemetery far away from the others)
105. This is the tomb of Mariam Khanoom the daughter of Thomas and the wife of Johanness who died in the Lord at Agra in the year 1849. Aged 75 years.
There is also an inscription in English as under:
Sacred to the memory of M [Mariam Khannom] J. Johannes., died 22nd August 1849. Aged about 75 years.
106. This is the tomb of Anna Bourbon, who died at Agra on the 5th January 1855. Aged 187 years. (There is also an inscription in Persian).
107. Sacred to the memory of D. David, the wife of the late Captain David Shafraz who died on 18th November 1852.
108. This is the tomb of James the son Mackertich of Agoolis who died at Agra ont he 1st November 1855. Aged one year and 10 months. (There is also an inscription in English as under)
Sacred to the memory of James Mark [Mackertich] who departed this life on the 1st November 1855. Aged 1 year, 10 months.
109. This is the tomb of Mariamjan the daughter of Mackertich Aviet of Agoolis who died in the Lord on the 27th March 1867. Aged 19 years.
There is also an inscription in English as under:
In memory of Mary, daughter of Mackertich Aviet. died 27th March 1867. Aged 19 years.
110. Sacred to the memory of Mr. John David Jacob. Aged 26 years and 5 months. died on the 4th October 1881.
111. In loving memory of Pherine Reghelini, daughter of Colonel David Jacob of Scindia’s Army. Died on 20th February 1919. Aged 83 years and 3 months
112. In loving memory of Phelomina Reghelini, grand daughter of Colonel David Jacob of Scindia’s Army and Major Reghelini of Samru Begum’s Army. Died on 5th July 1927. Aged 76 years. deeply mourned by her sorrowing son*
*Mrs. Phelomina Reghelini’s only son Mr. John Michael Reghelini, was until recently, the popular Munsarim (Registrar) of the Chief Judge’s Court at Agra. He is a great grandson of Colonel Jacob Petrus of Gwalior from his mother’s side. His paternal great grandfather, an Italian was an officer in Begum Sumru’s Army.
A word of explanation is necessary regarding the two different eras used in the old Armenian inscriptions at Agra and elsewhere in India. The great Armenian era commenced in the year 551 A.D., and the small, or the new era was started in 1615 A.D., and was used by the Armenians of Julfa and India only. The dates in these eras are not given in Roman figures, but in the letters of the Armenian alphabet, which like the Latin and the Arabic, have numerical value.
For instance, the date in the Armenian epitaph on the tombstone of Khojah Martyrose is given in two letters of the Armenian alphabet, namely RA and KEN , the numerical value of the former being 1000 and that of the latter 60, in all 1060. And as the great Armenian era commenced in 551 A.D. the year 1060 of that era is therefore equivalent to the year 1661 A.D.
In the same way, the date in the inscription on the tombstone of Manook from Venice, who died at Agra in the year 63 of the new era of Azaria, can be converted into the Christian era by the additional of 1615, which will give the year 1678 A.D. (see inscription No. 46).
The following is extracted from “List of Christian Tombs or Monuments in the Agra Division possessing historical or archaeological interest”
In the old Roman Catholic Cemetery at Agra, sometimes called the Mortuary Chapel the floor is made up of tombstone bearing in Portuguese the names and dates of the deaths Portuguese Catholic priests. Some tombstones in this chapel bear epitaphs in Armenian and record the deaths of the following priests.
| Episcopus Zachar from Tabrez | 1615 |
| Presbyter Juhannas | 1682 |
| Presbyter Patros | 1683 |
| Presbyter Pagdasur | 1684 |
| Presbyter Arratun | 1776 |
Tomb off Khoja Morteneous, Armenian merchant died 1611. Here lies the holy Khoja Mortenepus, Armenian, who was a professed disciple of Christ, and who was a righteous man; whatever he had, he gave in charity to the poor, in token of fidelity to his Divine Master, in the year one thousand six hundred and eleven from the birth of Christ.