{{Short description|Bengali confectioner}} {{multiple issues| {{more citations needed|date=August 2020}} {{tone|date=August 2020}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Nobin Chandra Das | honorific_suffix = | image = Nobin Chandra Das.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = 1845 | birth_place = Paschim Medinipur District, Bengal Presidency, British India<br />{{small|(present-day Kolkata, West Bengal, India)}} | death_date = 1925 (aged 80) | death_place = Bagbazar, Calcutta | death_cause = | body_discovered = | resting_place = | monuments = | other_names = Nobin Moira of Bagbazar, Columbus of Rossogolla | citizenship = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Businessman, Confectioner, entrepreneur | years_active = 1864–1925 | employer = | organization = | agent = | known_for = Rosogolla | successor = Krishna Chandra Das (K.C. Das) | movement = Bengali Renaissance | spouse = Khirodmoni Devi | partner = <!-- (unmarried long-term partner) --> | children = 1 | parents = | relatives = Bhola Moira (Grandfather-in-law) | callsign = | awards = | website = {{URL|www.kcdas.co.in}} | footnotes = }}
'''Nobin Chandra Das''' (1845–1925) was a Bengali confectioner, popularly referred as the "Columbus of Rossogolla".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Calcutta-celebrates-Madly-Mishti/articleshow/4902875.cms|title=Calcutta celebrates Madly Mishti|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2012/nov/23/a-sweet-rush-427483.html|title=A sweet rush|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
== Early life and career == {{more citations needed section|date=August 2020}} Nobin Chandra was born in 1845.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-14 |title=Meet Bengal's 'Columbus of Rosogolla' who is said to have made the spongy sweet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/meet-bengal-s-columbus-of-rosogolla-who-invented-the-spongy-syrupy-delight/story-rR7ZBOaI0k24oe2tDg84JO.html |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> In 1864, driven by poverty and with little provision to complete his education, he initially started working for the Indra family, confectioners from Shantipur in the Nadia district of Bengal. They were distant relatives of Nobin Chandra's mother, and their shop was located on Chitpur road in Bagbazar, Kolkata. Nobin Chandra was reportedly humiliated by the Indras, left the job and, aged 18, started his own sweet-shop at Jorasanko. Being respectable and prosperous sugar merchants, Nobin's family were initially unsupportive of his decision to run a small neighborhood corner shop. They even labeled him "moira" (a 19th Century Bengali slur word for a profession not held in high esteem). Ironically, the word has evolved to evoke a positive connotation, even admiration.
Nobin Chandra's Jorasanko business failed as he fell out with his partner and Nobin Chandra had no resources to offer credit to his customers, which competitors had begun doing. In 1866, he opened another shop on Chitpur Road directly across his first shop in Bagbazar. Most sweets were either the "Sondesh/Sandesh" variety, and made exclusively for the affluent or sweets made of "dal" (lentils) or flour from various grains.
== Creation of ''Rosogolla'' == In 1868, Nobin Chandra modified the original recipe for the sweet now known as "Rossogolla," creating a version with a longer shelf life. The sweet became popular during his time and was accessible across different economic segments, though it took time to gain wider recognition in the absence of modern advertising and media<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/J5jK255x5F6wpRll00gVFP/Kolkata-Chromosome-Like-KC-for-rossogolla.html|title=Kolkata Chromosome: Like KC for 'rossogolla'|first=Bishwanath|last=Ghosh|date=15 November 2014|newspaper=livemint.com}}</ref>
== Legacy == Nobin Chandra left his legacy to his son Krishna Chandra Das.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="kcdas.co.in">{{Cite web|url=http://www.kcdas.co.in/|title=K.C. Das|website=kcdas.co.in|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-date=22 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422132106/http://www.kcdas.co.in/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2018, director Pavel made a film ''Rosogolla'' on the life of Nobin Chandra Das. Actor Ujaan Ganguly portrayed Nobin in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-24 |title=Rosogolla, the Nabin Chandra Sen biopic, is a warm-hearted ode to the beloved sweet |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/rosogolla-the-nabin-chandra-sen-biopic-is-a-warm-hearted-ode-to-the-beloved-sweet-5782011.html |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== *Bikalananda Kar * K.C. Das *Rasgulla * Sarada Charan Das * K.C. Das Grandsons * Bengali cuisine
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Das, Nobin Chandra}} Category:1845 births Category:1925 deaths Category:Culture of Bengal Category:Businesspeople from Kolkata Category:Indian confectionery Category:Bengali Hindus Category:Businesspeople from British India Category:People from the Bengal Presidency