Information about the Armenian-Indian relations can be found in the works of Xenophon (from 4th to 5th centuries BCE), Zenob Glak (4th century BCE), Movses Khorenatsi (5th century), Procopius of Caesarea (6th century). The first Armenian communities in India were formulated in the 15th -16th centuries; in the 17th-18th centuries, when multiple Iranian-Armenians settled in 20 cities and trading centers of India, the communities became bigger (around 20-25 thousand people). The person who greatly contributed to the creation of the Indian-Armenian community was Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) of the Mughal Empire. For the purpose of developing commerce and craftsmanship in the country, he let Armenian merchants move freely on the territories of the empire.

They were national-religious communities subject to the Armenian Patriarchate. Armenians from Madras were the first to compile a book of the regulations of the community called “Tetrak vor Kochi Nshavak” (Booklet of Aim, 1783). According to that work, the highest authoritative power of the community was the General Assembly.

Based on a contract signed in 1686 with the English East India Company, Armenian merchants were given the right to trade freely, own property, occupy positions, and live in the trading centers of the countries that were under English influence.

In 1688 the East India Company signed a commercial-economic contract with the head of Armenians of Surat, Khoja Panos Kalantar. According to the contract, Armenian merchants were given all the rights and privileges of English citizens in India and its bordering countries.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the trading houses of Madras, Kolkata, and Bombay already had their connections not only with different European and Asian cities but also with Russia as well. They owned ships, even a port in Kolkata, and later on, the number of the ships was so high in the Indian Ocean that there was even a need to create the “Armenian Maritime Insurance Company,” the divisions of which were located in the coastal cities of London, Singapore, China, and India.

The Indian-Armenian community became bigger after 1722 when Armenians of New Julfa and Spahan had to migrate to India because of Afghan invasions. 

Indian-Armenians actively participated in the Indian liberation struggle. Most notable were the Armenians of Malabar, who in 1662, fought together with Indians against the Portuguese conquerors. After the victory, Markos Rogaz was appointed the governor of Malabar. In 1760-1764 Gorgin Khan (Grigor Harutyunyan) was the commander of the Indian army that fought against the English in Bengal. 

Over the centuries Armenians occupied high positions in India. Notable Armenians include Mir Adal, who was the Chief Justice of the court, Huliana, who was a court physician, Mariam Zaman Begum, who was one of king Akbar’s queens, and last but not least Mirza Alexander Juldarnayn, who was a social-political activist, poet, and composer, etc. 

At the end of the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th century, Indian-Armenian schools started operating in almost all the communities. The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy were opened in 1821 in Kolkata, which operated to this day and is under the care of the Etchmiadzin.  

At the beginning of the 19th century a cultural organization named “Ohanaspyurn enkerutyun” was founded in Bombay. At the beginning of the 20th century “The Armenian Sports Club” was founded in Kolkata. Afterward, many other cultural organizations were founded.

 In 1947, after the Declaration of Independence of India, the Indian-Armenian community became significantly smaller. 

Nowadays there are around 100, and according to other sources 200 Armenians, who live mostly in Kolkata. There are around 50 citizens of Armenia (including migrant workers and students) living in Kolkata, New Delhi and in other cities of India, who came after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Armenian organizations continuing to operate in India are the following: the Armenian Club of Kolkata (in the building of Queen Mansion), the Armenian Sports Club (Kolkata), the Armenian Cultural Center (New Delhi, founded in 2015).

The first Armenian church in India was built in 1547 in Madras. Currently, there are 7 functioning Armenian churches in India.