Surat's 300-year-old Bible: Preserved, Intact, Unknown

Among several historical artifacts in Surat, which are still unknown, is a 300-year-old bible that has been preserved in the Diamond City for about 300 years now.

The religious book, which is housed at CNI Christ Church at Chowk Bazaar area of the city, is in very good condition and is perhaps the oldest book in Surat.

At about two-foot length, the Bible contains more than 1,000 pages with minor weathering seen on the inner leafs – courtesy moisture. But the book’s intact and can be read cover-to-cover. The binds of the Bible are changed whenever necessary to prevent any scuff.

“There is no exact date but as far as we know, the Bible was printed between 1714 and 1716. The British brought it to Surat,” says Father Cecil David of CNI Christ Church. “They built this church in 1824 and since then, the Bible has been here.” The Bible today is preserved in a special vault inside the church, and is taken out only during special occasions and during festivals.

But not many Surtis know of this 300-year-old Bible – including Surat Municipal Corporation which is working hard at developing a Heritage Square, but CNI Christ Church and the objet d’art Bible find no mention in their works.

It is unclear whether the Bible has place in the record books as the oldest surviving Christian literature in the region. ASI officials, too, said that they do not have a record of the book.