Kolkata chemist who turned Swadeshi into an empire

In a small town near Kolkata, a chemist shop located on Sovabazar Street has been in operation for over 150 years. Though it may appear unremarkable to modern customers, the shop once served as the epicenter of a major pharmaceutical business in eastern India. What began as a modest venture in a small room, it eventually expanded into outlets across Kolkata, a factory in Dum Dum, and an office in London.

Butto Kristo Paul & Co., as it was known, has been the subject of a 2018 study by historian Malika Basu, published in the Indian Journal of History of Science. This research reveals the story of how Butto Kristo Paul, a grocer's son from Shibpur, established an Indian-owned medicine business in colonial Calcutta. Initially, Paul imported foreign medicines, which were scarce at the time, and later ventured into manufacturing. Family accounts also shed light on Paul's involvement in the Swadeshi movement.

Born in 1835, Paul lost his parents at a young age and was brought to Kolkata by his maternal uncle. He started his career working in various businesses, including the opium trade and jute trade, before finally settling on the pharmaceutical trade. He began his business in 1858, selling Kaviraji medicines and locally manufactured products. However, the business did not perform as expected.

Realizing the effectiveness of allopathic medicines, Paul shifted his focus to importing these drugs and building a successful business around them. The business grew rapidly, with Paul opening seven more centers across Kolkata. These outlets sold allopathic, homeopathic, and Ayurvedic medicines, along with surgical instruments, dentistry supplies, and printing machinery.

As the business expanded, Paul also ventured into manufacturing. Initially, he set up a laboratory at 18 Sashi Sur Lane, but later moved to Dum Dum when the premises proved too small. The new factory produced medicines and various other products, including arrowroot and cotton, and had a facility for making tools used in surgical instruments. By 1881, B K Paul's eldest son, Bhutnath Paul, joined the business, leading to further expansion.

Edward's Tonic, a remedy for malaria, became closely associated with the company. Free samples were distributed every Sunday to people from both the main shop and the Dum Dum factory. By 1906, the company's capital had reached Rs 10 lakh, and in that year, Butto Kristo Paul & Co. was appointed as an official chemist and druggist to the British crown.

Although Paul did not actively participate in the Swadeshi movement, his business played a significant role in promoting economic and scientific self-reliance as part of this shift. The company supplied medicines to the poor, especially during epidemics, further solidifying its presence in Kolkata.