English cemetery

The English cemetery which is situated outside the city-wall (which was known as 'Alampanah') near
the Katargam Gate reminds the visitor eloquently of many a famous names in the historical
narratives of the English factory at Surat who were the significant persons in the political history of
the city. As per the "Revised List of Tombs and Monuments of Historical or Archaeological Interest in
Bombay and other Parts of the Presidency" published in 1912 there were about 19 tombs in the
English cemetery during that time, many of which are still existing. In addition to these, there is a
large number of simpler structures, and inscription slabs-over the graves of less important persons.
Few of the imposing monuments of this cemetery are described here.

Dutch cemetry

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 Cemetery:

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 :

This is the tomb of Kalandar, the son of Phanoos Kalandar of Julfa, who departed this
life on Saturday, the 6th day of March 1695.

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 Armenian 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 in the city.