Chennai

The city’s fading link to its Jewish past

Located off Lloyd’s Road in the city, the Jewish Cemetery is the only memoir of the once significant Jewish population of Chennai, which has now almost become extinct. Burials include the tombstones of 18th-century Jewish diamond merchants.

migrator

Published:22nd Jul, 2018 at 2:39 AM

Chennai

The cemetery houses less than 10 graves, of which a few are over 300 years old. The cemetery was established by Jacques (Jaime) de Paivia, a Portuguese Paradesi Jew, involved in the diamond trade. After the renovation around 2016, these doors were replaced with sturdier ones. Before the renovation, the cemetery had been reported to be in a state of severe disrepair – with rusted iron gates, partially grown shrubs and cracked walls. People in the surrounding area were oblivious to the existence and historical importance of the cemetery. Even now, it tends to have few visitors.

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The city’s fading link to its Jewish past

Located off Lloyd’s Road in the city, the Jewish Cemetery is the only memoir of the once significant Jewish population of Chennai, which has now almost become extinct. Burials include the tombstones of 18th-century Jewish diamond merchants.

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