The Ghazipur Opium Factory (now in Uttar Pradesh), established on the banks of the river Ganga in 1820 by the East India Company, was meant to process opium in India to be exported to China. A legacy of colonial aspiration to earn gold for trading this factory covers 43 acres and is the world's largest legitimate opium factory, now operated by the Indian government under the Ministry of Finance. Here's a deeper dive into its history and significance: In 1773, the then Governor General, Lord Warren Hastings brought the entire opium trade under the control of the company.The licit poppy cultivation and production of opium in India under a regular system of control thus dates back to the colonial ime -19th CE . Later an alkaloid plant was set up at Ghazipour in 1943 during the period of World War II.
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| Govt. Opium factory, Ghazipur India. Bihar Times |
Historical Overview The factory began as the Benaras Opium Agency during the British East India Company's rule. Its primary function was to extract and process raw opium for export, particularly to China, contributing significantly to the British economy.
Govt. Opium factory, Ghazipur India. Indiatimes.com
Opium Wars: The British used opium produced here during the First (1839–1842) and Second Opium Wars (1856–1860) to force China into trade agreements, exploiting the Chinese population's addiction to opium. Opium was smuggled via Canton (Guangzhou) with local assistance.
During World War II, the factory produced alkaloids used to treat injured soldiers, showcasing its pharmaceutical applications.
Economic and Social Impact Revenue for the British Empire: By 1830, Britain imported nearly 19,000 chests of opium from India annually (each chest weighed 140 pounds). This amounted to over 2.6 million pounds of opium, a significant source of revenue for the colonial administration. Impact on Indian Farmers Driven greed to make more profits, Indian farmers were coerced by the british and the land owners into cultivating opium poppy, which often degraded the fertility of their land. This exploitation devastated local economies and livelihoods.
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opium seeds and flower. pixell.com
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Addiction Crisis in China: The British profited immensely from the opium trade, unmindful of widespread addiction and societal harm in China. A single pound of opium provided over 2,200 doses, underscoring the scale of the addiction crisis.
Current Operations The factory now produces medical-grade opium and various alkaloids for pharmaceutical use. With a workforce of about 900, it remains a critical part of the global legal opium supply chain. About Purity and Products, Indian opium is renowned for its 12% morphine content, considered the highest purity in the world. The factory produces four grades of opium: Provision Opium, Excise Opium, Medical Opium, and a new variety based on purity.
Security Measures: Transport of opium products to export hubs like Mumbai or New Delhi involves tight security. Public access to the facility is strictly prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985).
Competition and Challenges The Global Market Dynamics gives priority to quality. Although Indian opium is prized for its quality, countries like Australia and Turkey dominate the market with cheaper extraction techniques, impacting India's export volume.
Declining Cultivation: While opium cultivation in Uttar Pradesh has decreased, regions like Rajasthan (Kota and Bhilwara) and Madhya Pradesh continue to grow poppy under strict government oversight.
Legacy: The Ghazipur Opium Factory is a stark reminder of the colonial exploitation of resources and people. However, it has transitioned into a modern pharmaceutical hub, exporting around 360 tons of opium annually to countries like the USA and Europe. It plays a crucial role in producing essential medicines while adhering to strict legal and ethical standards.
This historic factory exemplifies the transformation of a colonial-era enterprise into a key player in the global pharmaceutical industry, while also bearing the weight of its complex and often dark past.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/countrys-biggest-oldest-opium-factory-shut-in-
http://www.bihartimes.in/articles/amarnath/opium.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghazipur
https://www.navrangindia.in/2018/04/oldest-opium-factory-at-ghazipur-india.html
https://dor.gov.in/government-oipum-alkaloid-factories-chief-controller-factories
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