Long ago, when I was a child growing up in the small town of Titabar in Assam, I recall reading a fictional story about a little girl named Indumati. A monthly children’s magazine named Mouchak published this story, probably in episodic form. I also recall another British character from the story, Robert Bruce, who experimented with various methods to prepare tea and achieve the best flavour. The memories may not be vivid, but I still recall the subtle description of his house with its chimney and the logs burning to ward off the cold weather. It was a clear reminder of India’s colonial times and how the Britishers lived their lives in the valleys of Assam, or amidst the Assam tea gardens.
Years later, my curiosity about Robert Bruce led me to discover his real-life connection to Assam tea. In the early 19th century, Bruce was probably the first foreigner to recognise the potential of Assam’s wild tea plants as a worthy alternative to Chinese tea. His and his brother Charles’s effort marked the beginning of Assam’s journey as one of the world’s most celebrated tea-producing regions, shaping the destiny of its land and people. As I dug further, I came across other notable characters, such as Bisa Gham, the Singphos of Assam, and Maniram Dewan, which eventually led me to the Assamese book called Makam.
Tea is woven into the fabric of life in Assam. This is especially true for my hometown. For many, a degree in agricultural sciences often leads to a career in either rice or tea cultivation, even now. Most of those I knew chose tea, drawn by the idea of managing a tea estate, a lifestyle once romanticised as that of the “babu”, complete with cap and shorts. But behind this charm lies a world of relentless hard work. I visited my cousin’s tea factory, where I saw workers moving heavy bags of tea. The aroma of drying leaves filled the air. Endless green valleys stretched into the misty distance, and the experience was both enchanting and sobering.
Yet, the true story of Assam tea belongs to the people who make it possible. The workers whose lives are deeply entwined with the gardens have become a part of the tea story.
Many people left their original homes more than 200 years ago. Since then, generations have lived and worked on these tea estates. Their stories, traditions, and struggles often go untold. What is their history? How do they see their world? What secrets do these gardens hold? These questions have always intrigued me.
All these memories and questions have inspired me to create this blog, Teapaat.com. Through it, I hope to share the untold stories, rich heritage, and living culture of Assam tea. “Eti Koli Duti Paat” means two leaves and a bud. This is the plucking standard for Camellia sinensis var. assamica. Many people nurture these tea plants. I invite you to join me as I explore the world of Assam tea. Together, we will discover stories about the people who care for the tea. We will cherish these stories one at a time.
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