Last Traces: Ajmer's 19th century Jewish cemetery battles neglect
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This historic burial ground, one of only two Jewish cemeteries in Rajasthan, tells a compelling story of cultural diversity, colonial history and unfortunate neglect.
The cemetery, which last saw a burial in 1954, originally housed around 60 graves. Today, only 33 remain, each bearing the distinctive Star of David and Hebrew inscriptions, silent testimonies to a community that once called Ajmer home. These graves belong to Jewish families who were invited by the British to help develop the railways in the Ajmer-Merwara region during the late 19th century.
"We used to see people with long beards coming to pray here," recalls an elderly neighbour, painting a picture of times when the cemetery still held its sacred status.
The Jewish community, numbering between 300-400 people, played a crucial role in developing the region's rail network alongside their Parsi counterparts. However, following the formation of Israel in 1948, most families migrated, leaving behind their homes and this final resting place of their loved ones.
Today, the cemetery presents a sorry sight. Where once stood well-maintained graves, now lies a dumping ground for broken idols, discarded mannequins and construction debris. The sacred ground is overrun with cow dung and unkempt bushes, while two rooms remain locked, their keys held by a caretaker in Jaipur. The absence of even a simple signboard has led many locals to mistake it for a Christian graveyard.
"It is a quiet place," says Vimla Devi, a local resident, describing the rare occasions when visitors light candles and offer prayers.
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The cemetery shares a boundary wall with the Robson Memorial Cathedral Cemetery—managed by the Robson Church in Ajmer—creating an interfaith final resting place that speaks to Ajmer's diverse historical fabric.
Pastor Jagdish Kumar of Robson Church told TOI, "The caretaker of the Jewish cemetery was Mr Henry, who passed away in 2023. He lived on the cemetery premises and received his salary from the Chabad (Jewish prayer hall) in Pushkar.
After his death, Ms Anju Rose from Jaipur has been overseeing the cemetery's upkeep."
Aviv Divekar, secretary of the Magen Abraham Synagogue in Ahmedabad, emphasises the cemetery's significance: "It symbolises the deep cultural bond between India and Jews." As this landmark battles for survival, Divekar says, "Rajasthan govt or its cultural department should take note of the pitiful situation and restore it in line with Jewish religious values."
The cemetery stands not just as a burial ground, but as a testament to India's inclusive heritage and its historical connection with the Jewish community. In the face of rapid urbanisation and fading memories, this cemetery remains one of the last physical links to Ajmer's Jewish heritage. Its preservation isn't just about maintaining a burial ground - it's about protecting a crucial chapter in India's diverse cultural history.
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