Marcara Avanchintz was a powerful 17th-century Armenian trader from Isfahan, Persia, who went into the service of Louis XIV.[1] He became a Director of the newly founded French East Indian Company, together with François Caron, who was his direct superior, and Jean-François Leriget de La Faye.
Marcara arrived in India, at the kingdom of Golconda where he had great connections, in May 1669, and was successful in obtaining a trade agreement (a) for the French.
Marcara however entered into a dispute with Caron, after Caron offered him to take personal bribes in the French East Indian Company trade. Maracara was imprisoned on accusations that he was favouring Armenian trade, and returned to France. Upon his return, Marcara initiated a trial against the French East Indian Company, which he won.
On this assignment François Martin wrote:
Ina Baghdiantz McCabe - Marcara Avanchintz: Story of an Armenian Merchant by AGBU