Guwahati, Oct 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday paid tribute to Maniram Dewan, regarded as one of the earliest Indian tea planters and a prominent freedom fighter, by unveiling his bust at the Gauhati Tea Auction Centre as Assam marked 200 years of its tea legacy.
Speaking at the programme, Sarma said the tribute was a recognition of Dewan’s contribution to Assam’s tea industry and his lasting place in the state’s history.
“As Assam celebrates 200 years of Assam Tea, we should honour the first Indian tea planter and freedom fighter, Maniram Dewan,” Sarma said in a post on X after attending the programme.
He said the unveiling of the bust at the Gauhati Tea Auction Centre was a tribute to Dewan’s enduring legacy.
“In Assam, we continue to honour Vikas and Virasat,” the Chief Minister said, underlining the state government’s emphasis on combining development with the preservation of its historical and cultural heritage.
The event comes as Assam commemorates two centuries of its association with tea, an industry that has played a defining role in the state’s economy, identity and global recognition.
Maniram Dewan, born Maniram Datta Baruah, was closely associated with the early development of tea cultivation in Assam.
He initially worked with the British administration and became familiar with the emerging tea industry before establishing his own tea gardens.
He is remembered as one of the first prominent Indian entrepreneurs to enter tea cultivation at a time when the industry was largely controlled by British interests.
Dewan later became a prominent figure in the resistance against British rule.
During the 1857 uprising, he supported efforts to restore the Ahom monarchy in Assam and sought to challenge British authority.
He was arrested by the British and executed in 1858, becoming an important symbol of Assam’s resistance to colonial rule.
Assam’s modern tea industry began taking shape in the 19th century after indigenous tea plants were discovered in the region.
The British subsequently developed commercial tea plantations, and Assam emerged as one of the world’s major tea-producing regions.
Over the decades, Assam tea acquired a global reputation for its distinctive flavour, strong character and unique aroma.
The industry became a major source of employment and remains a crucial component of the state’s economy.
The 200-year milestone has also renewed focus on the contribution of tea workers, growers, entrepreneurs and communities who have sustained the industry across generations.
The tribute to Maniram Dewan at the Gauhati Tea Auction Centre therefore linked Assam’s historic tea journey with its broader legacy of entrepreneurship, resistance and cultural identity.
Source: IANS
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