State had relied on Armenian envoy and may look for more options Armenian engraving yet to be translated

Plans of the state department of archaeology and museums to translate the inscriptions on the graves of the 17th Century Armenian cemetery located in Uppuguda in the Old City, have not fructified as yet.

The department had planned to translate the inscriptions written on about 20 graves, 19 of them are of Armenians and one is of a Dutch trader. Officials had rested their hopes on Armenian ambassador Armen Martirosyan and Fr Zaven Yazichyan, pastor manager of the Indian–Armenian Spiritual Pastorate, Kolkata, who had visited the cemetery last year.

“Nothing much has happened. We are exploring the options of getting it translated through other sources,” Mr B. Narayana, deputy director of the department, said.

The two distinct features of the cemetery are the single dome representing the Qutb Shahi style of architecture and the two mandapa-like structures, one square and the other octagonal.

Armenians came to India between the 16th and 17th Centuries as traders travelling through Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet.

“A large number of Armenians settled in Hyderabad during the 17th Century. Though there are no written records of their activities, traditions and social conditions, the Armenian epitaphs acknowledge their presence,” Mr M.A. Qayyum, former deputy director of the department, said.

The graves of two priests — Rev Johannes, who died in 1680, and Rev. Margar, who died in 1724 — are located here. The archaeology department is trying to translate the inscriptions and identify those who are buried at the cemetery.

Months after it was cleaned, wild vegetation has once again surfaced at the cemetery. “People from the surrounding dump trash every day. Several months ago, the gate was opened and the cemetery was cleaned, but since then no further cleaning up has been done,” said Mr B. Sudharshan, a local resident.

The locals feel that unless a caretaker is employed, the place will remain unclean.

“It is a heritage site and tourists or research students will visit the place if it is promoted properly,” said Mr Shalinder Singh, who works with a defence institution and lives next to the cemetery.