Robert Fortune removes tea plants and tea makers from China
node
Engaged by the East India Company, Robert Fortune travelled in disguise into the closed green and black tea districts of China, collecting seed, living plants and detailed manufacturing knowledge, and recruiting experienced Chinese tea makers to accompany the material to India. The plants travelled in Wardian cases; the consignment that reached the government nursery at Saharanpur in 1851 is reported at over twelve thousand surviving plants. This was industrial espionage undertaken for a state-backed commercial interest, breaching both Chinese restrictions on foreign movement and Chinese control of a manufacturing secret.
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Evidence · 2
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Connections · 6
- Robert Fortuneconcerns
- English (later British) East India Companyconcerns
- Camellia sinensisconcerns
- Shanghaiconcerns
- Darjeelingconcerns
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kewconcerns
Assembled narrative · 1
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Observed changes · 0
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/atlas?object=EVENT_FORTUNE_EXPEDITION