Tea Plantation: Difference between revisions

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*[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:oCWol4f9xGEJ:202.144.14.20/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D367292%26catid%3D44&hl=en&gl=au&strip=1 Halycon <nowiki>[</nowiki>sic<nowiki>]</nowiki> days: a memoir of tea estate life] by Duncan Allan ''The Statesman'' 25 April 2011 (Scroll down) ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120308172112/http://www.koi-hai.com/Default.aspx?id=490750#halcyondays Another version] (archived))
*[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:oCWol4f9xGEJ:202.144.14.20/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D367292%26catid%3D44&hl=en&gl=au&strip=1 Halycon <nowiki>[</nowiki>sic<nowiki>]</nowiki> days: a memoir of tea estate life] by Duncan Allan ''The Statesman'' 25 April 2011 (Scroll down) ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120308172112/http://www.koi-hai.com/Default.aspx?id=490750#halcyondays Another version] (archived))
*[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:jZM7LUhlgScJ:minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/35484/Spielman.doc%3Fsequence%3D1+northern+bengal+mounted+rifles&cd=58&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au Cultivating an Industry: A Survey of the lives of British Tea Planters in Assam 1860-1936] (html version) by A.H. Spielman 13 May 2009  [http://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/35484/Spielman.doc?sequence=1 Original link] minds.wisconsin.edu
*[http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:jZM7LUhlgScJ:minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/35484/Spielman.doc%3Fsequence%3D1+northern+bengal+mounted+rifles&cd=58&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au Cultivating an Industry: A Survey of the lives of British Tea Planters in Assam 1860-1936] (html version) by A.H. Spielman 13 May 2009  [http://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/35484/Spielman.doc?sequence=1 Original link] minds.wisconsin.edu
*[http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/india/2009-10/1255213630 Tea Planter in Bengal] a posting from the rootsweb India mailing list archives giving advice and information on researching Tea Planters.
* [http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/s-z.htm Business records relating to tea companies] in the Guildhall Library, London.  It seems likely these companies are ones registered in the U.K.
* [http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/s-z.htm Business records relating to tea companies] in the Guildhall Library, London.  It seems likely these companies are ones registered in the U.K.
*[http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=81070 The Story of India Tea] 1917 British Pathe film clip
*[http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=81070 The Story of India Tea] 1917 British Pathe film clip
*[http://www.sms.csx.cam.ac.uk/media/1077801  The Elephant Man] is about the rescue of refugees fleeing Burma in 1942 by Gyles Mackrell, an Assam tea planter.  He mounted an operation to save refugees who were trapped by flooded rivers at the border with India using the only means available to get them across - elephants. Includes YouTube film clip from the Centre of South Asian Studies, Cambridge. More about Gyles Mackrell’s story  in this [http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/07/flight-by-elephant-andrew-martin-review link] theguardian.com ([https://web.archive.org/web/20131114023120/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/07/flight-by-elephant-andrew-martin-review archive.org] link)
*[http://www.sms.csx.cam.ac.uk/media/1077801  The Elephant Man] is about the rescue of refugees fleeing Burma in 1942 by Gyles Mackrell, an Assam tea planter.  He mounted an operation to save refugees who were trapped by flooded rivers at the border with India using the only means available to get them across - elephants. Includes YouTube film clip from the Centre of South Asian Studies, Cambridge. More about Gyles Mackrell’s story  in this [http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/07/flight-by-elephant-andrew-martin-review link] theguardian.com ([https://web.archive.org/web/20131114023120/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/07/flight-by-elephant-andrew-martin-review archive.org] link)
*[http://www.assamco.com/heritage.html Assam Company Ltd] Background to the Assam Tea Company and its [http://www.assamco.com/teaplantation.html Tea Plantations]
*[http://www.assamco.com/heritage.html Assam Company Ltd] Background to the Assam Tea Company and its [http://www.assamco.com/teaplantation.html Tea Plantations]
*[http://www.upasi.org/ UPASI (The United Planters' Association of Southern India)] is an apex body of planters of tea, coffee, rubber, pepper and cardamom in the Southern States of India viz. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in existence since 1893, located at [[Coonoor]], Nilgiris. This India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2012-05/1336487052 post] says they  have records of all planters [for that area] and an extensive library going back nearly 100 years. Article [https://web.archive.org/web/20131127092701/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/a-tea-industry-anniversary/article4544060.ece  A tea industry anniversary] by S. Muthiah, Madras Miscellany March 24, 2013 ''The Hindu''. The first tea auction at Coonoor was in 1863.
*[http://www.upasi.org/ UPASI (The United Planters' Association of Southern India)] is an apex body of planters of tea, coffee, rubber, pepper and cardamom in the Southern States of India viz. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in existence since 1893, located at [[Coonoor]], Nilgiris. Article [https://web.archive.org/web/20131127092701/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/a-tea-industry-anniversary/article4544060.ece  A tea industry anniversary] by S. Muthiah, Madras Miscellany March 24, 2013 ''The Hindu''. The first tea auction at Coonoor was in 1863.
*[http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2021%20No%205/otherstories.html#story4 When planters turned to their ''Directory of South India''] by K.V.S. Krishna ''Madras Musings''  Vol. XXI No. 5, June 16-30, 2011
*[http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2021%20No%205/otherstories.html#story4 When planters turned to their ''Directory of South India''] by K.V.S. Krishna ''Madras Musings''  Vol. XXI No. 5, June 16-30, 2011
*Article [https://web.archive.org/web/20121025064420/http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/oct/28/kerala-homestays-rubber-plantations-kochi  "Rubber soul"] by  Lesley Gillilan  28 October 2011 ''The Guardian'' mentions the rubber plantations in the foothills of the Western Ghats. (archive.org link)
*Article [https://web.archive.org/web/20121025064420/http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/oct/28/kerala-homestays-rubber-plantations-kochi  "Rubber soul"] by  Lesley Gillilan  28 October 2011 ''The Guardian'' mentions the rubber plantations in the foothills of the Western Ghats. (archive.org link)
*The Path to the Hills: History of the Plantations on Western Ghats. Tea Coffee and Rubber. [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:mb4CNqQRCP4J:www.stayhomz.com/history.pdf+The+Path+to+the+Hills:+History+of+the+Plantations+on+Western+Ghats&hl=en&gl=au&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShykzcs746xK8gx-9gUcVbCosd1GdhTgwYbrr_CGGnE4tiwU-uikALEM1MjCswgoLKzwEuu8fPO2SNlc78HhwGl1ztKcywrYnYGabdQ4n-nA7CEabA8KFh9JANlJrqtkbh2lpnH&sig=AHIEtbRc0xnPWfot6-Vp8dd6x-QJ1jHf6A html version], [http://www.stayhomz.com/history.pdf original pdf] www.stayhomz.com
*The Path to the Hills: History of the Plantations on Western Ghats. Tea Coffee and Rubber. [https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:mb4CNqQRCP4J:www.stayhomz.com/history.pdf+The+Path+to+the+Hills:+History+of+the+Plantations+on+Western+Ghats&hl=en&gl=au&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShykzcs746xK8gx-9gUcVbCosd1GdhTgwYbrr_CGGnE4tiwU-uikALEM1MjCswgoLKzwEuu8fPO2SNlc78HhwGl1ztKcywrYnYGabdQ4n-nA7CEabA8KFh9JANlJrqtkbh2lpnH&sig=AHIEtbRc0xnPWfot6-Vp8dd6x-QJ1jHf6A html version], [http://www.stayhomz.com/history.pdf original pdf] www.stayhomz.com
*[http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/total-tea-day/article4081155.ece    "Total Tea Day:A Taste Of History. The museum at the Nullathani estate in Munnar] November 9, 2012 thehindu.com
*[http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/total-tea-day/article4081155.ece    "Total Tea Day:A Taste Of History. The museum at the Nullathani estate in Munnar] November 9, 2012 thehindu.com
*[http://www.historyofceylontea.com History of Ceylon Tea] includes many  [http://www.historyofceylontea.com/Browse/browse-our-archives.asp  online publications] including [http://www.historyofceylontea.com/Fe_Browse/fergusons-directories.asp  Ferguson’s Ceylon Directories] from 1871 to 1930 (Broken range). For Ferguson’s Directories, this India List [http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2011-05/1306396281 post] advises "In the index on the left hand side look for an entry marked (usually) General Directory (towards the bottom) and then click on a page to see the contents".
*[http://www.historyofceylontea.com History of Ceylon Tea] includes many  [http://www.historyofceylontea.com/Browse/browse-our-archives.asp  online publications] including [http://www.historyofceylontea.com/Fe_Browse/fergusons-directories.asp  Ferguson’s Ceylon Directories] from 1871 to 1930 (Broken range).  
*[http://www.almarteas.com/tea_history.html History of Ceylon Tea] almarteas.com
*[http://www.almarteas.com/tea_history.html History of Ceylon Tea] almarteas.com
*[http://www.ringtons.co.uk/blog/2012/10/ Blog with extracts  from  a booklet from 1935/36, a special edition of ''The Ringtonian'', from the diary of Mr Samuel Smith  during a journey to India and Ceylon].  Rington’s, a tea and coffee merchant. Scroll to the bottom of the October 2012 Archives to commence. Includes photographs.
*[http://www.ringtons.co.uk/blog/2012/10/ Blog with extracts  from  a booklet from 1935/36, a special edition of ''The Ringtonian'', from the diary of Mr Samuel Smith  during a journey to India and Ceylon].  Rington’s, a tea and coffee merchant. Scroll to the bottom of the October 2012 Archives to commence. Includes photographs.

Revision as of 17:40, 27 January 2014

Tea was originally a Chinese export first traded by the East India Company in 1685 from Canton (up river from Macao) and the trade was in 1750 a more valuable revenue stream than all of India. The trade was lost in 1833, and a year later native tea plants were found growing in Assam. Interest was reignited, the first export of tea from India was 12 tea chests in 1838. The Assam Tea Company took over the East India Company's tea plantations in 1839. By 1860, a million pounds (weight) of tea was being grown in:

Plucking tea

Fibis Resources

  • Tea Planters Cachar 1865-1875 on the FIBIS database, over 200 names listed.
  • FIBIS Journal Number 9, "Jokai Tea Estates" by Dick Barton. Includes a useful reading list.
  • FIBIS Journal Number 24, "Life with Tea in India: The Diaries of Samuel Cleland Davidson" by Wendy Pratt and Peter Bleakley
  • "Life with Tea and India: Diaries of Family Life in the Cachar Area". The first 10 minutes of a talk given by Wendy Pratt (FIBIS Member) and Peter Bleakley at the FIBIS Spring Lecture meeting 22 May 2010 is available to download or listen to on the podcast page. The full version is available for FIBIS members only in the FIBIS Social Network, previously known as the Members Area. Members can also access the accompanying visual presentation which displays impressive original material including photographs and equipment designs.
  • Tea Images Images relating to tea planters and tea production comprising some of the original material mentioned above - examples of which are on this page.

Records

Packing and weighing tea
  • From the end of the 19th century special sections covering tea plantations appear in Thacker's Indian Directories. FIBIS Fact File No 3 - Indian Directories by Richard Morgan states "The tea section lists within each area the names of the firms, their “tea gardens” (areas under cultivation), the trade mark or logo of the company as it was stamped on their tea chests , the postal address, acreage, proprietors, general managers and assistants, Indian agents and addresses, and London Agents and addresses”

An example is given of how a genealogical history can be obtained by using the annual directories in this context.

Some Thackers are available online, refer Directories online-Thacker's Indian Directory

  • Guide to James Finlay & Co Managers and Assistants Letterbooks University of Glasgow. .Finlay Muir & Co as the company became known began to diversify into tea estate management around 1882 and by 1901 was managing extensive tea estates in India and Sri Lanka. These letterbooks contain a wealth of information about the men recruited in Britain to manage the Finlay tea estate business overseas

Volunteer Regiments

Volunteer Regiments involving tea planters include

Related articles

Historical books

Taylor’s Maps of the following Tea Districts, Darjeeling, Terai, Jalpaiguri and Dooars, Darrang, Golaghat, Jorhat Nowgong, Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Sylhet, with complete Index to all Tea Gardens, published 1910

Historical books online

  • Old times in Assam by T Kinney 1896 Archive.org A tea planter’s life in the early 1860’s. Reprints from columns in the Englishman and Indian Planters’ Gazette.
  • Some sample pages from Forgotten Frontier by Geoffrey Tyson, first published 1945, may be downloaded as a pdf from the Koi-Hai website. This book may be viewed online on the Digital Library of India website.The book is about the escape of refugees from Burma in 1942 and the help provided by the tea planters of Assam in assisting the refugees from North Burma into India.
  • Text from Navvies To The Fourteenth Army by AH Pilcher c 1947 is available as pdf downloads from the Koi Hai website, located under Memories, the Henderson Family Scroll down to the item dated October 12, 2009. Does not contain the illustrations and maps from the original publication. The author was Col: A H Pilcher who at the outbreak of the second world war commanded the Assam Valley Light Horse. In March 1942 he was put in charge of raising a labour force from the Tea Plantations to build the Manipur/Burma Road to evacuate the 14th Army and also the many civilians who were fleeing Burma. Eventually he raised and commanded a labour force of 82000 [1] This book (55 pages) was published in Calcutta for Private Circulation and was illustrated with black and white plates and line drawing maps. [2] The British Library has a catalogue reference Mss Eur F174/1316, but this is possibly a manuscript, not the printed book. The book is available at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Library, University of London.

Recommended Reading

A Brief History of Tea by Roy Moxham (2009). For Review see Other occupations reading list.

External links

References

  1. Scroll down to comments section Jungle Work: A Civil Engineer in Burma BBC ww2peopleswar
  2. marelibri.com, page no longer accessible