Dutch and English Cemeteries, Surat: History, highlights and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Dutch and English Cemeteries

The Dutch cemetery dates from the period after Pieter van den Broecke established a Dutch trading post in Surat around 1616, and burials continued until the late 18th century. The Dutch official Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede, author of the Hortus Malabaricus, died in 1691 and was buried in Surat.

The English cemetery holds the Oxenden tombs. Sir George Oxenden, appointed the first Governor of Bombay in 1667, died in Surat in July 1669. Sources disagree on some construction dates, so treat those as approximate.

Useful facts

Dutch and English Cemeteries facts at a glance

Location

Gulam Falia (Dutch, Armenian) and near Katargam Gate (English)

Experience type

Protected tombs and cemeteries

Known for

Van Rheede tomb and the Oxenden tomb

Era

17th to late 18th century

Visitor note

Restricted photography reported; check on site

Why it matters

Why Dutch and English Cemeteries is worth your time

Surat was where the Dutch and English East India companies competed for Indian cloth in the 17th century, and the cemeteries record that rivalry in stone. The merchants built tombs to show standing as much as to remember the dead, and the Dutch are said to have wanted a monument that would match the English one.

For travellers, they are a reminder that Surat was a cosmopolitan port long before diamonds. They pair naturally with the castle, which defended the same trade. They are also among the few places in the city where the colonial-era story is visible without a museum.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   The Van Rheede mausoleum

   The largest Dutch tomb, with cupolas, columns and carved windows, is the grandest monument in the Dutch cemetery.

2. 02

   The Armenian tombs

   Close to the Dutch tombs, they show the other merchant community that traded through Surat.

3. 03

   The Oxenden tomb

   The English family tomb has a dome described as an open cross, a detail to look for.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Begin with the Dutch cemetery in Gulam Falia, where the most striking monument is the large domed mausoleum of the Dutch official Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede, who died in 1691. The Armenian tombs sit close by. Look at the cupolas, columns and the mixture of Islamic and European ideas in the stonework.

Then drive to the English cemetery outside the old city wall near Katargam Gate, where the Oxenden family tombs are the focus. Sir George Oxenden, the first Governor of Bombay, died in Surat in 1669. The upper dome of the Oxenden tomb is described as an open cross, a detail worth looking for from the ground.

Keep your visit quiet and short, and follow any rules the caretakers give. Both sites are better with a little reading beforehand, because the signage may be limited. Do not climb on tombs.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

Gulam Falia (Dutch and Armenian) and near Katargam Gate (English), Surat

Time needed

1 to 1.5 hours for both

Best time

Morning, November to February

Walking level

Moderate

Senior comfort

Paths are uneven and shade is limited, with little seating, so allow a driver to wait and keep the visit short in warm weather. Some monuments are only viewable from outside.

Tickets and access

These are protected monuments. Access and photography rules have been reported to be restricted, so check current arrangements on site and follow any signage. Dress modestly and treat them as burial grounds.

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