Boston Tea Party: Did India Brew the American Revolution Against the British Rule?

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, a defining event in America's path to Independence, which took place in the early hours of December 16th, 1773.

Boston Tea Party, AI_generated image.

Personal Journey: Boston 2013 vs Boston 1773

In June 2013, while attending a two-week training at Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I delved into the history of the Boston Tea Party. Cambridge, a lively town neighboring Boston and divided by the Charles River, is steeped in American history. Faced with the choice of an amphibious river excursion or a visit to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum for a weekend activity, I chose the latter, fueled by a deep-rooted interest in this key historical event, an interest initially ignited by Derek Wood's “This Modern World” during my school days.

Harvard Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, June 2013.

The Prelude to Revolution: Understanding the Boston Tea Party

My understanding of the Boston Tea Party, as a prelude to the American Revolution, was shaped by popular historical narratives. This act of defiance on the morning of December 16, 1773, signified a critical moment where American colonists, incensed by the British taxation policies, boldly protested against the 'taxation without representation' principle. Ironically, the tax policies in question would have made Indian tea cheaper for the colonists. This paradox highlights the complexity of the event, underscoring it was less about taxation and more about self-governance, sovereignty and representation.

India's Unsung Role in the American Revolution

During my visit to the museum, I shared an intriguing detail with my fellow participants: the crucial role of India, its tea, and the British East India Company in the Boston Tea Party. The East India Company, holding a Royal Charter, dominated the tea trade, primarily sourcing its tea from India. In a bid to rescue the company from its substantial debt, the British Parliament granted it exclusive rights to sell tea in the American colonies as well. Ironically, this move, albeit leading to lower tea prices, contributed significantly to the mounting tensions between the colonies and the British Empire.

An illustration from a late 19th-century postcard depicts the Old South Meeting House, where it's said that around 5,000 people gathered on the night of the Boston Tea Party.

The Night of Rebellion: Myths and Realities

The events of that historic night have assumed a near-mythical status over time. The famed meeting, held in a venue with a capacity for just 550, reportedly swelled with over 5,000 people, culminating in Samuel Adams' momentous proclamation. At this critical point, the revolutionary leader declared, “This meeting can do nothing more to save the country!” — a statement met with fervent war whoops, as per contemporary accounts. Motivated by Adams' words, young supporters of the American cause bravely boarded the ships, resolutely dumping 342 crates of East India Company tea into the harbor. This act of defiance, which could have been deemed “high treason” by colonial authorities, surprisingly led to no punishment for the perpetrators, despite the outrage in the British Parliament. Though modest in its immediate effect, it kindled the revolutionary spirit, paving the way for the broader uprising that would soon envelop the colonies, eventually leading to the first shots fired at Lexington in April 1775.

At the Boston Tea Party Museum, a popular activity sees three young guests tossing crates from the merchant vessel Eleanor into the Fort Point Channel, creating splashes - a commemoration of the historical event.

Reassessing the Significance: The Indian Catalyst

Modern scholarship often debates the actual impact of the Boston Tea Party as a catalyst for the American Revolution. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the role, howsoever modest, of Indian tea and the East India Company as the focal points around which American revolutionary sentiments crystallized. While the British East India Company was consolidating its power in India, it inadvertently set the stage for a revolution across the ocean.

In 1973, a stamp issued by the United States Postal Service to mark the 200th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party inaccurately portrayed the water's depth and showed colonists wearing feathers, deviating from historical facts.

Crafting a New Narrative: The India-U.S. Connection

As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, it's imperative to highlight the often-overlooked India-U.S. connection in the story of American independence from the same colonial power, Britain. This historical linkage, while typically absent from mainstream American discourse, becomes particularly relevant in light of the evolving contemporary relations between India and the U.S. A symbolic gesture, like sending special Assam or Darjeeling tea in replica East India Company cartons for a ceremonial "dumping" at the historic site, could serve as a poignant reminder of our intertwined histories and a testament to mutual respect.

In moments like these, history seems to come full circle, even if it is after a quarter of a millennium. Such gestures not only honor the past but also pave the way for a deeper understanding and collaboration in the present.