200 years ago the first strike was called in Calcutta

We are familiar with this word strike. At least the Indians are
very familiar. We are very fond of calling a strike in words. Our leaders
called a strike with any reason. But do you know when this strike was first in
Kolkata? To be more precise, when Tilottama Calcutta saw the first strike.

About 200 years ago today. And that strike changed the lifestyle
of the people of Kolkata during the British period. And you will be surprised
to know about those who called this strike. On May 21, 1827, this strike was
called by the palanquin bearers. In that year, the Kolkata Police Department
issued a decree, from now on all palanquins must be registered. Besides, license
number is prescribed for unemployed persons. The brass disc will have the
specific number engraved on it. Beharas have to wear it on their arms like a
talisman while driving the palanquin. The team of Palki Beharas did not take
this decision very well. There was already class discrimination among them.
Moreover, they resented the meager remuneration. A group of beharas from Odisha
refused to wear those brass tickets. A group of angry Palki Beharas sat in a
meeting. Their struggle council was formed. It was unanimously agreed that they
will call a strike. They decided not to touch the palanquin until the ticket
decision was withdrawn. If a carrier does not comply with the decision of the
council, he is also asked to be isolated.

On May 21, around 1,000 palanquins marched to Lalbazar in the
afternoon. Meanwhile, the police did not agree to withdraw this law. The next
day no contract palanquin carrier came to work. All palanquins remained
motionless.

The life of the people of Calcutta came to a standstill due to
the incessant palanquin bearers' strike. Finally, a European named Brownlow
took the initiative to break the deadlock. There was no shortage of abandoned
cart wheels in the city. From there he took the wheel and sat in his palanquin.
Instead of a Behara, he pulled a palanquin with a small Arabian horse. This
vehicle was called the 'palanquin-carriage' or 'brownberry car'. Eventually,
the striking Behara team returned to work, but by then the palanquin had been
replaced by a “brownberry car”.