Robert Bruce (trader) facts for kids

Robert Bruce (1789–1824) was a Scottish man who traded weapons and worked as a soldier for hire in India. He helped bring tea plantations to the region of Assam in the 1820s.

Life of Robert Bruce

Robert Bruce started his career as a naval officer. In 1823, a report said he was born in India. However, this was questioned by Edward Albert Gait. Gait mentioned Robert's brother, Charles Alexander Bruce, who traveled to India in 1809. The Dictionary of Indian Biography states that Charles Alexander Bruce was born in Jorhat, Assam. Robert Bruce lived in Jogighopa.

In 1821, during the Burmese invasions of Assam, Bruce became involved in the affairs of the Ahom Kingdom. He helped the former ruler, Purandar Singha, gather and equip an army. This happened in the Dooars area, with help from the East India Company. Bruce led this army into Ahom in May 1821, fighting against Chandrakanta Singha.

After a defeat, Bruce was captured. He then agreed to support Chandrakanta Singha. This was against the Burmese forces of the Konbaung dynasty, who were gathering in the Goalpara district. With guns and ammunition supplied by Bruce, Chandrakanta Singha took back Guwahati in early 1822. Robert Bruce is buried in the cemetery in Tezpur town.

Tea in Assam

Bruce learned about tea from Maniram Dewan. He found out that the Singpho people grew tea, which was not widely known then. In 1823, while trading in Garhgaon, he met a Singpho chief named Bessa Gaum. This chief agreed to give him samples of the tea plant.

Robert Bruce died soon after, in 1824. The tea samples were then passed to his brother, Charles Alexander Bruce. From there, they went to David Scott, who was a commissioner in Assam. Charles Alexander Bruce is given credit for starting tea farming in Assam on the British side. This was based on his work in the 1830s.