/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Dr. Omar Khalidi of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will give an illustrated lecture entitled “Three Centuries of Armenian Heritage in India” on June 4, at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center in Belmont, Mass, The Armenian Weekly reports.

Though Armenians were in India from early times, their presence in India is well-documented from the 16th century, after the establishment of the important mercantile community in New Julfa in Persia. The community grew in size and importance in the 17th and 18th centuries, with many Armenians rising to positions of prominence.

Khalidi’s lecture will give an overview of India’s Armenian Diaspora—its churches, cemeteries, and related art—in such locations as Kolkata (Calcutta), Bombay, Delhi, Agra, Surat, Hyderabad, Madras, Dhaka (in modern Bangladesh), and elsewhere.

Dr. Omar Khalidi has a Ph.D. in Islamic studies from the University of Wales.

This lecture is the second talk given in memory of Arshag Merguerian (1926-2005), an architect and active member and friend of NAASR for nearly 50 years. The expenses for the lecture will be covered by funds contributed to NAASR in Merguerian’s memory.