Hyderabad, March 3 -- The Armenian cemetery at Uppuguda, three kilometres from Charminar, is closed for tourists and the common public.

The gates of the cemetery where 20 graves, 19 of Armenians and one of a Dutch trader, are located remain locked. The Department of Heritage (formerly Department of Archaeology and Museums) is the custodian of the cemetery and a visitor must approach the Director of Heritage Office and seek permission to visit the site.

Historians explained that the Armenians came to India between the 16th and 17th centuries as traders travelling through Persia, Afghanistan and Tibet. Many of them Armenians settled in Hyderabad during the 17th century. Though there are no written records of their activities, traditions a...