About the Book

JADUNATH BANDYOPADHYAY Bengali Zamindar, First Indian Tea Taster, Tea Baron & Secret Financer of Indian Freedom Fighters Shri Jadunath Bandyopadhyay (1855 - 1939) was an elite Zamindar from Murshidabad who went on to break all racial barriers and became the first Indian tea taster accredited by British Tea Board of India during Colonial era, a profession that was heavily dominated by the British at that time. Also, he was a pioneer tea merchant who was the chief of Kathalguri Tea Estate in Dooars (1903-1918) and kept high connections in Royal Kingdom of Bhutan and German maritime trade bartering tea with secret arms for Bengal revolutionaries. It was at Jadunath's tea bungalow in Kathalguri, where Bagha Jatin had taken refuge after his brawl with the British forces at Siliguri railhead. He was also helping Bagha Jatin in negotiating arms with the German sailors. 'Malati Kutir', Jadunath's house in Murshidabad was the haven for secret meetings of Surya Sen before the Chiitagong Armoury Raid. Both his sons Basanta & Ananta were closely associated with many covert revolutionary movements and were mysteriously killed. Jadunath used to secretly finance innumerable fugitive plans of Indian rebels and provide shelter at his privately owned safe-houses across North Bengal. Also his Bajra, Phaeton and black Hummer car were often used by freedom fighters for a safe passage. However, all his contributions have always been behind the shadow of time and not made to the pages of popular historical anecdotes. This book, written by Reetwika Banerjee, Jadunath's own great, great, grand daughter, is your gateway to discovering one of India's most remarkable yet forgotten heroes. Step into the past and witness the journey of a man who played a crucial role in making India's independence a reality.