Chinese in Kolkata represents a
unique confluence of food, culture, and language which is a perfect blend of China
and India. Chinese in Kolkata or the Chinese Community in Kolkata will remind
you of the phrase “Hindi- Chini Bhai Bhai” ( Indians and Chinese are brothers).
The Chinese in Kolkata is also called as “Chini” and we also call sugar as
Chini. That reminds me to narrate a beautiful and unique history of Chinese in
Kolkata.
Chinese in Kolkata has given
Kolkata unique Chinese cuisine, leather tanning technology, and lots of
spices. There are approximately 2000-2500 Chinese in Kolkata. It’s a vanishing
culture as the young generation of the Chinese in Kolkata are moving out to the
west. The Chinese in Kolkata adds to the diaspora of the culture of Kolkata.
In this blog post, we will talk about History, Culture, and yes Chinese food, Chinese Restaurants in Kolkata. If you are looking to
understand anything about Chinese in Kolkata then read this blog post.
History of Chinese in Kolkata
It is said that the Chinese
people first landed in West Bengal. The first recorded Chinese who settled in
India was Tong Achew. He was a tea seller who landed in Budge budge in West
Bengal first in the year 1780. Mainly he had an export business of tea in Burma
(now Myanmar) and Vietnam. Once, while he was sailing for business purposes,
unfortunately, his shipwrecked at the shore of river Hoogly, in Bengal.
The official history of the
Chinese in Kolkata tell us, Atchew who desirous of quitting a mercantile life
would wish to bring with him, on his return from China, wanted to bring many of
Chinese who were skilled in husbandry. After getting assurance from the
government, Atchew returned his country and again came back in 1781 with 110
Chinese laborers to settle here permanently. He brought Chinese people along
with him to work in the sugar factory in Budge Budge. The place is now called
as Achipur which was named after Tong Achew. The first Chinese settler in India
died soon in the year 1783 and the Chinese people who he brought started
migrated to Kolkata from 1804 when his sugar mill was auctioned off. Tong Achew
migrated to Budget Budge and he was given 650 Bighas of land for an annual rent
of just Rs45.
