332 Memoir of a Hindu Colony in Ancient Armenia. [June, 



come to Ashtishat*, they raised idols there in the name of those they 

 worshipped in India. Fifteen years after their settlement in the 

 country, both of the brothers were put to death by the king, for 

 what fault I do not know. He conferred the principality on their 

 three sons, named Kuar, Meghti and Horain. The first built a 

 village, and called it after his own name Kuars. The second founded 

 a village on the plain, and called it after his own name Meghti. 

 The third also built a village in the province of Palunies, and gave 

 it the appellation of Horains. 



After a certain space of time, Kuar, Meghti and Horain, of one 

 accord, resolved on changing their abode. They sojourned on the 

 mountain called Karkf, which to a delightful temperature added a 

 fine and picturesque appearance. It abounded in game, herbs, wood, 

 and all that is adapted for the comfort and convenience of man. Here 

 they raised edifices, where they set up two idols, respectively dedicat- 

 ed to Keisaney and Demetr, in honor of whom attendants were 

 appointed out of their own race. Keisaney had long flowing hairs> 

 in imitation of which his priests allowed the hairs of their heads to 

 grow, which custom was afterwards prohibited by authority. This 

 class of people, on being converted to Christianity, were not deeply 

 rooted in their faith. They durst not, however, openly profess the 

 religion of their pagan ancestors. They continued, therefore, dissem- 

 blingly to allow their children to wear plaited hairs on the crown of 

 their heads, in remembrance of their idolatrous abominations." 



The description of this idolatrous colony is entirely accordant with 

 the colour, appearance, manners and religion of the present Hindus. 

 The cause of their emigration from India is distinctly stated by 

 Zenobius, but through what route or in what period they found 

 their way into Armenia, it is very difficult to determine. It is, how- 

 ever, clearly evident that they had formed a permanent settlement in 

 our country prior to the commencement of the Christian era. Valar- 

 saces, under whose government they found protection, was grand- 

 son of Arsaces, the Parthian, and brother of Arsaces the Great, by 

 whom he was appointed king over Armenia, Anno Mundi 3852, or a 

 century and a half before Christ. I shall now proceed to give a 

 translation of Zenobius's narrative of the religious wars of this 

 Hindu people with the first Christian converts of Armenia. 



* ILCShClLS Ashtishat was a city in Armenia Major. It was so called from 

 npo sacrifice, and C.U.S man y •' for innumerable sacrifices were offered there 

 to the gods and goddesses of Armenia. It might, perhaps, be well compared to 

 JagannSth or K&li Ghat of this country. 



