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     After Captain Welsh’s expedition into Assam in 1792 and his commercial treaty with Ahom King Gaurinath Singha, the East India Company saw some possibilities of agro-commercial opportunities in the region. In 1823, the journey of tea began in Assam and gradually developed into a household beverage. No one could imagine a day without one’s morning cuppa. The discovery of an indigenous tea plant in upper Assam by a Scottish adventurer Robert Bruce in 1823 convinced the British of the possibility of turning the region into a ‘tea ground’ after the Burmese invasion. The Singpho and Khamti tribes knew about the benefits of the tea plant and drank the brew made from its leaves long before the British discovered it. Robert Bruce’s insights into the existence of the tea plant in upper Assam were acquired from a Singpho chief.

     In 1826, C.A. Bruce who commanded a gunboat division in upper Assam during the first Burmese war, collected some specimens of the indigenous tea plant. These specimens were sent to the Botanical Gardens in Calcutta. The Governor General of India, William Bentinck, then deputed Francis Jenkins in 1832 to Assam to evaluate her resources leading to plantation of tea.

    After tea was introduced in 1835, it became a stimulant of economic growth towards the latter half of the nineteenth century. Several tea gardens were opened in different parts of Assam between 1856 and 1859. The liberal grant of ‘wastelands’ enabled the newly formed ‘Assam Company’ to foray into the profitable venture of growing tea. Following the footsteps of the Assam Company, some more companies entered the turf of tea plantation. The Assamese noble Maniram Dewan was the first Indian who started two tea gardens in Chenglu and Chenimora. But due to his alleged complicity in the revolt of 1857, he was hanged and his gardens were confiscated.

    The introduction of the steamer service in the 1860s and the construction of railways by the British in the 1880s boosted the tea industry in Assam. It established closer geographical, economic, political and cultural relationships between the region and the world.

    Initially, tea planters imported Chinese labour, but it proved to be a costly affair. Even experiments with local labour were challenging due to their difficulty in adjusting to a time-work-discipline regime. Local Kacharis and Nagas were willing to engage in plantation work temporarily. Although a few gardens imported labour from Bihar and Chota Nagpur, it was only from 1859 onwards that tea gardens began to recruit labourers on a wide scale from Bihar, Orissa, Bengal, Central Provinces, United Provinces and Madras Presidency.

    Tea plantations attracted Marwari traders to Assam to start business ventures. They provided the necessary trade and finance services to the tea gardens.

    A planter’s wife Iris and her son Alan MacFarlane titled their book ‘Green Gold’ meaning ‘Tea’. They opined that the tea we drink is a product of the British Empire. While Assam tea has been able to cast its spell over different parts of the world, its impact closer home was also par excellence. Several noted Assamese were either sons of tea garden owners or were owners of tea plantations themselves. Apart from making significant contributions to the development of Assamese society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, they played a useful role in the politics of their time, some of them being active Congressmen.

    ‘Without the tea industry, a stable middle class would not have come into existence in Upper Assam. Through tea, they secured business links in Calcutta and London. With the arrival of the tea planters in Assam came the capitalists. Tea was the only force of ’embourgeoisement’ in the economy of Assam. It offered the Assamese middle class a channel for professional self-expression. It increased the size of the middle class, with some working in clerical jobs and others involved in cultivation, trading, and selling of tea.

    The tea story is incomplete unless we acknowledge the contribution of some pioneer planters who turned the plantation industry into a flourishing enterprise in the Barak Valley. Planters from north Bengal also made huge investments in the tea plantation industry of Assam.

    The tea industry was key to the urban growth of Assam. It contributed towards the construction of roads, hospitals and the development of towns like Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Tezpur. It also helped Assam gain global prominence as one of the major producers and exporters of tea in the world.

    Despite several welfare activities and attempts to create employment opportunities for the locals, the management of the tea industry very often became the target of insurgency. The Indian National Congress brought tea garden workers under their umbrella after independence. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) also attempted to spread its influence in the tea gardens. To counter the communist influence of AITUC the Congress formed The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC).

    The Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) was a pillar of strength and support to the tea industry in Assam. The history of the ITA goes a long way back to 1879 when the first association of tea producers known as the Indian Tea Districts Association was formed in London. Considering the geographical distance from London, an association which could be easily accessible became the need of the hour to regulate matters at home. In 1881, a discussion was initiated in Calcutta by representatives of Jardine Skinner & Co., and Begg, Dunlop & Co. which led to the birth of ABITA on 29 October 1889 in Jorhat. James Buckingham of the Amgoorie Tea Company was elected chairman of the association. Due to his meritorious service to the tea industry, he was later known as Sir James. In 1904, he was appointed secretary of the ITA, London. Known as the ‘Father of the ABITA’, Sir James Buckingham contributed towards the development of tea science in India. The CTC machine introduced by another chairman of the ABITA, Mr. William McKercher revolutionised the manufacturing process of tea. India exports large quantities of CTC tea produced in the tea gardens of Assam. The world’s biggest auction market of CTC is located in Guwahati. Lt. Col. W.D. Smiles, chairman of the ABITA was later conferred the honour of knighthood for his valuable contribution to the tea industry and development works in Assam. ABITA’s contribution towards the development of road and railway communication in Assam is noteworthy. Many airfields in Assam were built with the help of tea garden workers during the war. The ABITA has been closely associated with the research and development of tea in Assam since its formation in 1889.

   The oldest and the largest tea research institute in the world – is the Tocklai Tea Research Institute located in Jorhat. It was only with the establishment of the Tocklai Experimental Station in Jorhat in 1911 the systematic research on tea was initiated. The Tocklai Experimental Station was established in collaboration with the Governments of Assam and Bengal by the Indian Tea Association (ITA).   

    Although the tea industry has significantly contributed to the development of the state’s economy and provided a livelihood for many, it has also led to the growth of trade union activities.

    The trade union movement in Assam was led mainly by two fronts- the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) led by the Congress and the Hind Mazdoor Sangh led by the Socialists. The Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangh (ACMS) was established as a branch of the National Mazdoor Congress in 1947 through the efforts of Bijoychandra Bhagwati (1905-1997), Robin Kakoti (1910-1996), K.P. Tripathi (1910-1984), Mahendranath Sarma and many others.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety in content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause? The bank details are given below:

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Kamlesh Tripathi’s Publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 8 prestigious libraries of the US which include Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed at MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada; Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India; Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi; It is also available for reading in the Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity, which is the undying characteristic of Lucknow. The book was launched at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, USA; Black Gold Cooperative Library Administration, Arroyo Grande, California; Berkeley Library, University of California).

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched at the Lucknow International Literary Festival in 2016).

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his way through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10^th February 2018 at Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day-to-day life. A few poems from the book have been published in Shillong Times, Bandra Times and Bhavan’s Journal. The book is available on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available on Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

AWADH ASSAM AND DALAI LAMA … The Kalachakra

(The story of the man who received His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his retinue in 1959 as a GOI representative when he fled Tibet in 1959. The book was launched on 21^st November 2022 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama at Dharmshala. The title is archived in the library of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) Government of Tibet, Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) and the personal library of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. The title is also archived in The Ohio Digital Library, USA. It was recently included in the digital library of the world-renowned company APPLE).

BHAVANS JOURNAL

Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3. Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20, 2020; 4. Indica, 15.8.20; 5. The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6. Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9. The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10. Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11. Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12. Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13. Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14. A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15. Are Animals Better Teachers? June 16, 2021; 16. Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17. Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18. Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19. Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20. Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25. Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26. The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22;27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29. Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good Name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34. Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35. When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23; 37. Theogony 15.2.23; 38. Poem: Mother 14.5.23; 39. THE NAG MANDIR 30.6.23; 40. The Story of Garuda 30.7.23; 41. Janmabhoomi vs Karmabhoomi 31.8.23; 42. The Ghost Town of Kuldhara 15.9.23; 43. The Tale of Genji 15.10.23; 44. The Soul Connection 1.12.23; 45.Book review: Jungle Nama … a story of the Sundarban 16.3.24;

THE SHILLONG TIMES

ARTICLES & POEMS: 1. POEM: HAPPY NEW YEAR 8.1.23; 2. POEM: SPRING 12.3.23; 3. POEM: RIGHT AND WRONG 20.3.23; 4. THE GUSH OF EMOTION—WRITING, 26.3.23; 5. THE NAG MANDIR, 7.5.23; 6. POEM: MOTHER 7.5.23; 7. POEM: RAIN RAIN 9.7.23; 8. POEM: YOU COME ALONE YOU GO ALONE 6.8.23; 9. RAIN RAIN (SECOND TIME) 10.8.23; 10. POEM: GURU TEACHER 10.8.23; 11. POEM: AUTUMN … THE INTERIM HEAVEN 15.10.23; 12. POEM: HAPPY DIWALI 12.11.23; 13. OVERCOMING BLINDNESS: LEARN IT THE JOHN MILTON WAY 10.12.23; 14. THE HAPPY PRINCE AND THE HAPPY MAN’S SHIRT 31.12.23; 15. ANNUS MIRABILIS 2024 7.1.24; 16. GANDHI TO MAHATMA GANDHI- Incidents that Shaped Gandhi in South Africa 28.1.24; 17. POEM: TOGETHER BUT NOT MADE FOR EACH OTHER, 11.2.24; 18. THE BIRDS BEES AND THE SPIDERS OF NICHOLAS GUILDFORD AND JONATHAN SWIFT 25.2.24; 19. THE OVERCOATS OF NIKOLAI GOGOL AND RUSKIN BOND 10.3.24; 20. THE ETHNIC COLOURS OF HOLI 24.3.24; 21. A LESSON FROM DALAI LAMA, 21.4.24;

THE ASSAM TRIBUNE

ARTICLE: 1. THE MAGIC OF READING 11.12.23; 2. GANDHI TO MAHATMA 29.1.24; 3. GEOGRAPHY OF SOLITUDE 8.4.24; 4. A LESSON FROM DALAI LAMA, 22.4.24; 5. A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION, 29.4.24;

BANDRA TIMES, MUMBAI

ARTICLES & POEMS: 1. POEM: SPRING, 1.4.23; 2. POEM: MOTHER, 1.6.23; 3. POEM: RAIN RAIN, 1.8.23;

ARTICLES IN THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE ESAMSKRITI

29.12.2020: INDICA BY MEGASTHENES; 14.3.22: ABOUT THE DIMASA KINGDOM ASSAM; 10.12.22: GRAND TRUNK ROAD-UTTARAPATH; 5.10.23: THE GHOST TOWN OF KULDHARA NEAR JAISALMER;

(ALL THE ABOVE BOOK TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

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