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Feature

The Greek Monument at TSC

Feeda Hasan Shahed

Probably there is not a single person in Dhaka who hasn't heard about TSCthe Teacher Student Centre of Dhaka University. Out of all, a fairly large percentage of men and women will be found who has visited TSC at least once in their lifetime. (And who doesn't know how TSC has been a favourite place for couples?)

However, today I am writing about an interesting issue concerning this TSC. Have you all noticed a grayish temple-like building at the deep corner of the lawn adjacent to the cafeteria? I guess you have. But I'm pretty sure many of you haven't known what that is all about.

The building, styled liked an ancient Greek temple, actually consists of gravestones from an old cemetery. It was built around AD 1900 on a land owned by the Greek Community, which flourished in Dhaka in the 19th century.

The persons once buried under the gravestones died in 1800-1860AD. The inscriptions are in ancient Greek, English and Urdu. The information was collected from the transcription done by Dr Helen Abadzi, a Greek staff member of the World Bank.

The building was renovated in 1997 at the expenses of the Government of Greece through the initiative of ambassador Mr. Constabtinos Ailianos and the active collaboration of former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor, Professor. A. K. Azad Chowdhury.

GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTIONS
The ancient Greek inscription on the front frieze reads:
“Blessed are those whom you (God) have chosen and have taken with you.”
Counter clockwise, the gravestone inscription reads:

Gravestone 1(Bilingual)
Greek: Here lies Sulatana, Wife of Alexander (son of) Kyinakos

Philippou Politou: 1800; January 25 [by the julian calender] paid the common debt in Dacca.

English: Under this stone are deposited the mortal remains of Mrs.

Sultana Alexander, who departed the life Tuesday the 6th of February 1800: aged 34 years.

Gravestone -2 (Greek)
Here lies the late Theodosia, wife of Theodore [son of] George Philippou Politou, 1805, April 10, paid common debt in Dacca may her memory be everlasting.

Gravestone 3 (English)
To the memory: Mrs. Madalene and Sohia Jordan: also to that their husband, Mr. Joseph Jordan of Cesareah: merchant of Narayangonj. The latter departed this life the 10th of February 1819; aged about 60 years. This monument is created as a tribute of affection to their memory by their afflicted orphan children.

Gravestone 4 (English poem in Urdu with Latin characters)
To the memory of Nicholas Demetrus Elias, elder son Demetrius Elias esp. Died 5th March 1843: aged 46 years Mrs. Desired verse
Dunia ke jo meza hain (whatever joys in the world)
Haryiz kam na honge (may never be fewer)
Charcha ahe rahega (the discussion will happen here)
Afsos hai ham na honge (unfortunately I will not exist)

So readers, it was my small attempt to let you all know about this very interesting historical monument at the heart of the city. From now on whenever you visit TSC for whatever purpose, please be sure to offer a silent prayer for the people lying under it.