Armenians in Bengal
Statue inside the Holy Resurrection Church of Armanitola | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 0 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Dhaka (Armanitola) | |
| Languages | |
| Armenian, English, Bengali | |
| Religion | |
| Armenian Apostolic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Armenians in India, Armenians in Pakistan, Armenians in Myanmar |
Ethnic Armenians lived in the region of Bengal (present-day Bangladesh and Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura) since at least 17th century. There was a fairly large Armenian colony in Dhaka, concentrated in the neighbourhood of Armanitola, during the early part of the 18th century. The Armenian community played a significant role in Bengali trade and commerce in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Resurrection established by the community in 1781, along with the adjacent cemetery, is a major landmark and tourist attraction of old Dhaka.
Their presence, however, began to decline from the beginning of British rule. Their numbers have gradually diminished and there are now no Armenians in Bangladesh. Michael Joseph Martin (Mikel Housep Martirossian), reported to be the last Armenian in Dhaka, died on 9 May 2020.