K. C. Das
Bengali confectioner, entrepreneur, businessman and cultural icon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Krishna Chandra Das, also known as K.C. Das (Bengali: কৃষ্ণচন্দ্র দাশ; 1869–1934), was a Bengali confectioner, entrepreneur, and businessman. He contributed to the modernization of traditional Bengali sweets.[1][2]
Krishna Chandra Das | |
|---|---|
| কৃষ্ণচন্দ্র দাশ | |
.jpg) Portrait of Krishna Chandra Das | |
| Born | 1869 |
| Died | 1934 (aged 65) |
| Occupations | Businessman, confectioner, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1900–1934 |
| Known for | Inventor of Canned Rossogolla, alleged inventor or rosso malai, head of K.C. Das Confectioner |
| Predecessor | Nobin Chandra Das |
| Successor | Sarada Charan Das |
| Spouse | Shwetangini Devi |
| Children | 6, including Sarada Charan Das |
| Relatives | Bhola Moira |
| Website | kcdas |
Born in 1869, in Bagbazar, Kolkata, India, Das was the only son of the Bengali confectioner and inventor, Nobin Chandra Das.[3] He was credited with creating rasmalai (रस मलाई)[4] and initiating the concept of canned rasgulla (रसगुल्ला).[5] The sweets were later popularized by his family company, K.C. Das Private Limited, founded by his son, Sarada Charan Das.[6]
Early life and career
Das was born into a family of confectioners; his father was Nobin Chandra Das,[7] and his mother was Khridmoni Devi.[citation needed] His great-grandfather, Bholanath Dey, also known as "Bhola Moira," was a professional confectioner and a poet.[8]
Later life and family
Das was married to Swetangini Devi, with whom he had five sons and a daughter.[9][non-primary source needed] In 1930, he opened his first shop, Krishna Chandra Das Confectioner, in partnership with his youngest son Sarada Charan Das.[10]
Contributions and legacy
Das is credited with inventing ras malai and pioneering the concept of canned rasgulla, though he is often mistakenly credited for reinventing the rasgulla, which was allegedly created by his father, Nobin Chandra Das.[9][non-primary source needed]
To market ras malai, Das opened a new confectionery shop in Jorasanko in 1930, with his youngest son Sarada Charan Das. From that location, he promoted canned rasgulla, reportedly the first canned dessert manufactured in India.[11]
Krishna Chandra Das died in 1934, entrusting the company's operations to his son Sarada Charan Das.