History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v2.c45.4

v2.c45.4

In 1823 Jadab Chandra was appointed *Darogha* of Salt at Saratha by Mr. William Bellent, where he served for a year. He was transferred to Dasmalang in 1824 and to another place in 1825. At this time another Bengali worthy, named Brajamohan Ghoshal, was the *Diwan* of the Salt Department. Jadab Chandra states that, unable to bear his tyrrany, he resigned and returned to Bengal but Sir John Downey recalled him and appointed him Salt *Darogha* of Malang. He served at this station till 1834. Then Mr. Henry Rickett was Collector of Balasore. The dishonesty of Brajamohan Ghoshal and other officers became notorious, Sir John Downey was transferred, because he was a white man, Brajamohan Ghoshal was placed on suspension and about six hundred officials, mostly Bengalis, were accused of dishonesty and dismissed from service. Another Bengali, named Brajananda Das, was appointed Dewan of the Salt Department. Mr. Henry Rickett became the Agent of the Salt Department and Jadab Chandra was called upon to stand his trial at Balasore. That Jadab Chandra Chatterji was not free from blame is apparent from his autobiography. The labourers of the salt Cotaurs under him received sixteen maunds of salt for consumption which they sold with his connivance. It was a grave offence in consideration of the fact that salt was a State monopoly. Jadab Chandra tried his best to justify his conduct by stating the poverty of the labourers in the Salt Pans. They were very poor and lived throughout the year on rice, salt water crab and some greens. Jadab Chandra stated that the money which they obtained by the illicit sale of salt sufficed to pay the rent of their land, which they cultivated for four months in the year. He admitted that he issued passports to places where salt was very dear so that his labourers might obtain a little extra profit. His candidness and popularity with his labourers saved him and Rickett promoted him. In 1836 Jadab Chandra was appointed treasurer of the Collectorate of Medinipur and in 1838 was appointed a Deputy Magistrate. Henceforth his connection with Orissa proper ceased.¹