K. C. Das

For the manufacturer, see K. C. Das (chemist).

Krishna Chandra Das
কৃষ্ণচন্দ্র দাশ
Born	1869 Bagbazar, Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died	1934 (aged 65) Bagbazar
Nationality	British India
Other names	K.C. Das, inventor of Rossomalai
Occupation(s)	Businessman, confectioner, entrepreneur
Years active	1900–1934
Known for	Inventor of Canned Rossogolla
Predecessor	Nobin Chandra Das
Successor	Sarada Charan Das
Movement	Bengali Renaissance
Spouse	Shwetangini Devi
Children	6, including Sarada Charan Das
Relatives	Bhola Moira
Website	kcdas.co.in

Krishna Chandra Das (1869–1934), commonly known as K.C. Das, was a Bengali confectioner, entrepreneur, businessman and cultural icon of the early 20th century. Born in 1869 in Bagbazar, Kolkata in India, Krishna Chandra was the only son and successor of the Bengali confectioner and inventor Nobin Chandra Das. He developed an electric loom, a soda fountain machine, did extensive research on homeopathy, and researched eastern and western classical music. K.C. Das became an iconic figure in the 1930s Kolkata as one of the creators of "Rosso Malai" and inventor of the canned "Rosso Golla", which were popularized and promoted throughout India by his family organization K.C. Das Private Limited, founded by K.C.'s son and successor, Sarada Charan Das.

Historical background

Nobin Chandra Das, left his confectionery business to his only son Krishna Chandra Das.

Krishna Chandra, having an immense liking for scientific innovations and machinery, initially started a mechanical and scientific workshop in Bagbazar. His primary focus was on developing new technology to modernize and revamp Bengali sweet confectionery. His mother Khridmoni Devi strongly opposed the idea of redefining Nobin Chandra Das' confectionery in the light of science and experimentation. This drove Krishna Chandra Das to break out of his father's confectionery and create an original development as an extension to the family business under his own title. His vision of applying scientific methodology was soon realized, leading to economic and technological success. Likely largely due to the pioneering efforts of K.C. Das that "Rosso Golla" is widely regarded as the national sweet of India.

Life and family

K.C. Das inherited a well-known confectionery legacy from his mother's family. His mother, Khirod Moni Devi, was the granddaughter of Bholanath Dey, better known as "Bhola Moira", who holds a place in Bengali folklore and culture, not just as a professional confectioner but as an accomplished poet-minstrel. K.C. was married to Swetangini Devi. They had five sons and one daughter. In 1930, K.C. started his first shop, "Krishna Chandra Das Confectioner" with his youngest son, Sarada Charan Das.

Contributions and legacy

Krishna Chandra's major contribution were the introduction of the canned Rosso Golla and the creation of "Rosso Malai" in the year 1930, which became enduring favorites. To market his innovations, K.C. opened a new confectionery shop in Jora Sanko with his youngest enthusiastic son Sarada Charan Das in 1930. From there, he popularized the canned Rosso Golla, which was the first and only canned dessert manufactured in India at the time. This was the inception of the "K.C. Das" confectionery company, which was later enhanced and legally reestablished as K.C. Das Private Limited under the Companies' Act of 1946 by Krishna Chandra's son and successor Sarada Charan Das. Krishna Chandra died within four years of the foundation of the company, leaving the affairs of the nascent company in the hands of his son Sarada Charan. Today, K.C. Das Private Limited is widely acknowledged for its original creations such as "Rosso Golla" and "Rosso Malai".

See also

• Bengali cuisine
• K.C. Das Grandsons