Illustration: Maisha Syeda; Photo: Prabir Das

Armenians have long-lasting legacies, which go much beyond the name of a neighbourhood in Old Dhaka (Armanitola) and their church.

Case in point: the horse-drawn carriages. 

When you see a carriage today in the capital, you probably think of it as a recreational ride or a vehicle by which bridegrooms arrive at weddings. Or maybe, about the health of the horses and how their conditions should improve.

Many years ago, the horse-drawn carriage was a major mode of commute in Dhaka and the company that made this possible was G M Shircore and Sons; an Armenian merchant, Shircore, commercialised the horse-drawn carriage in our city.

Such was the success of G M Shircore and Sons that many Armenian and local businessmen followed its example. In 1867, in Dhaka, there were just 60 carriages for hire; compare that to 1889, when the number had jumped to almost 600!

Source: Dhaka- A Study in Urban History and Development (1840-1921) by Sharif uddin Ahmed.