A Brief Account of Greek Merchants in the Southern Region of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills from the Eighteenth Century to the Early Nineteenth Century

The foothills of the southern Khasi-Jaintia region, historically known as the Pandua Hills, played a crucial role in trade and commerce since the Mughal era, expanding further under British colonial rule. With the annexation of Assam in 1826, the British sought to integrate the region?s economy, linking the Surma and Brahmaputra valleys through market networks. European merchants, including Greeks, French, Dutch, and Armenians, became key players in the limestone trade, which flourished under colonial policies. However, Greek traders faced restrictions from British administrators like Robert Lindsay and John Willes, leading to their gradual shift away from limestone trade to other ventures in Bengal and Assam. The integration of local markets into the colonial economy reshaped the region?s economic landscape, connecting tribal communities to the global capitalist system. Despite its decline, the Greek presence left lasting imprints on the trade dynamics of the Khasi-Jaintia foothills and Sylhet.