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One of the world's oldest civilizations, Armenia once included Mount Ararat, the biblical tradition of which identifies as the mountain where Noah's Ark rested on after the flood. In the 6th century BC, Armenians settled in the kingdom of Urartu (the Assyrian name for Ararat). Under Tigran the Great (95-55 BC), the Armenian empire reached its height and became one of the most powerful empires in Asia, stretching from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout most of its history, Armenia has been ruled by a succession of rulers. Under constant threat of domination by foreign forces, Armenians became both cosmopolitan as well as fierce protectors of their culture and tradition. Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion seventeen centuries ago (301 AD). The Armenian alphabet was invented some 1,603 years ago (405 AD) and the art of theatre in Armenia has a history of twenty centuries. The capital of Armenia - Yerevan was founded in 782 BC, some 2,790 years ago. Armenia was situated at the crossroads of civilizations, religions and empires - with all the related consequences - Armenia was many times invaded, devastated and deprived of independence.
Not all the nations that ever populated this region were able to meet those challenges. Many of the vanished nations are known only to the specialists. The entire history of Armenia has been a struggle for the preservation of its existence, language, religion and distinctive character. There were many periods throughout history when physical existence of Armenian nation was under threat and thousands of Armenians had to leave their homeland in search of peaceful location. The genocide of 1915 perpetrated against innocent Armenian people in the Ottoman Empire, which resulted about 1.5 million victims, brought into existence the Armenian diaspora in many countries.
ARMENIANS IN INDIA
Armenians had trading relations with several parts of India. By 7th century AD, a few Armenian settlements had appeared in Kerala, an Indian state located on the Malabar Coast. Armenians controlled a large part of Kerala's international trade, particularly precious stones and quality fabrics. The land of Holy Ganga was a second homeland for many Armenians.
An archive directory (published in 1956 in Delhi) states that an Armenian merchant-cum-diplomat, named...