Cities – Hyderabad Published: April 22, 2013 23:03 IST

An ancient graveyard craves for public attention
Asif Yar Khan
NAGARA GOPAL

The Armenian cemetery that lies neglected at Uppuguda in old city of Hyderabad.
Photo: Nagara Gopal

Trash and debris now occupy a major portion of the Armenian cemetery
The Armenian cemetery at Uppuguda is in a state of utter
neglect. Although a listed archaeological monument, no effort has been
taken to restore it. The cemetery belongs to the Qutb Shahi period.

Mounds of trash and debris occupy a major portion of the
three-centuries-old cemetery, which remains hidden amid thick wild
vegetation.

Local residents are unhappy with the condition of the monument.

We are regularly representing to the authorities to clean up the
place.

But nothing is being done to make it a hygienic place,’ says
Sudharshan, a local resident.

After nightfall the premises are used by anti-social elements. The
absence of watch and ward staff is a reason, locals say. A notice
board erected at the place has also disappeared.

Armenians came to India as traders through the overland route much
before the advent of European traders into India. In fact, they came
here seven centuries before Vasco-da-Gama reached India, according to
officials. Realising the importance of Armenian cemeteries and
churchyards, which are the only attested sources of their presence,
the Department of Archaeology has declared it a protected monument
under the Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. Locals suspect
land grabbers could be eyeing the cemetery, which is situated in a
thickly populated locality.

Keywords: Armenian cemetery, Uppuguda, archaeological monument,
vegetation, anti-social elements, protected monument, land grabbers

© The Hindu

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress