Jamshedpur Heritage

 

The importance of the Beldih Baptist House, Beldih Triangle

Hundred years for an Indian city is not remarkable and our city, Jamshedpur, is the younger progeny of Chaibasa, Chakradharpur, Seraikela and even Sini.

And this is a story of how a young, persuasive, Irishman convinced the early planners who had already put their stake to set up the Tata Iron and Steel plant in Sini to shift less than thirty kilometers to the East to what he described as Utopia for an iron and steel plant.

John Lawrence Keenan in his book, “A Steel Man in India”, introduces V. P. Piggott, who was sent to India in desperation by his “wealthy land owning parents” to make his fortune. 

He heard about three consultants who were deciding to set up the proposed Tata steel plant in Sini.

He located their tent and stood outside in his old Khaki shorts and his dirty shirt. Charles Perin’s men – geologist C.M. Weld and Srinivas Rao – ignored this dirty ragamuffin loafer and called him in after a long time.

He convinced them to take the train to Kalimati station where three horses were waiting for Weld, Rao and himself.

They rode to where the two rivers, Kharkhai and Subhanarekha, meet, rode to the highest point of this shrub-filled land, Sakchi village.

They were told that he, V. P. Piggott, owned this initial 25 acres of land of the Midnapore Zemindary Company and could be leased for $ 31.25 (Rs. 125) a year.

The representatives of the Tata were treated to a sumptuous lunch with long cooling drinks and the deal was confirmed with Piggott.

John Keenan states “I lived in a bungalow on the site of that lunch”. This is the Parson’s house of Beldih Baptist Church, opposite Beldih Club.

John L. Keenan who retired in 1935 as General Manager with the Tata Iron and Steel Company lived in this spacious house till 1922. When he returned from long leave he gave up his dwelling to the Pastor of the church and moved to a D/6 type bungalow opposite the Beldih lake and next to Lawrence Durrell – the dynamic contractor who played a major role in the first “great expansion of Jamshedpur” (1918–1926). His son, Gerald Durrell, proudly claimed that he was born in Jamshedpur. He went on to be an internationally famous author, and his most famous book is “My Family and other Animals”.

This heritage spot changed the thinking of M/s  Charles Perin, C.M. Weld and Srinivas Rao, our early planners, and this spot must be marked as our first Heritage Site.

Fortunately, the current occupants have not modified the original elevation and must be urged to honour the spot.

Ref. : 'A Steel Man in India' by John L. Keenan

Illustrations : Shania Silver, Std. VII, Sacred Heart Convent, School, Jamshedpur

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