Tombs & Trade – The Global Histories of Surat

Surat’s past is not just written in its forts and markets, but also in its cemeteries — silent landscapes that tell vivid stories of the city’s cosmopolitan past. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Surat was one of the busiest ports on the Indian Ocean, attracting traders, travelers, and settlers from across the world. This walk explores the Dutch, Armenian, and British cemeteries — remnants of a time when Surat was a bustling gateway to Europe, Persia, and beyond.

Each of these cemeteries reflects a distinct chapter in Surat’s global history. From ornate domed tombs of Dutch merchants, to Armenian epitaphs carved in stone, and the British East India Company graves, these spaces are more than burial grounds — they are architectural records of ambition, exile, faith, and empire. Join us as we walk among these grand but often overlooked monuments, uncovering the forgotten stories of the people who came from faraway lands and made Surat their final resting place.

Walk curated by Surat Heritage Project

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