1867
On his visit to Manchester, Jamshetji hears Thomas Carlyle expound the maxim-“The nation which gains control of iron, soon acquires control of gold.”
1882
J N Tata comes across a document ‘Report on the finacial prospects of iron-working in the Chanda District’, by Ritter Von Schwarz, a German expert, who then and afterwards was frequently employed by the authorities in investigating the iron and coal deposits in India. He is excited by the possibilities of an Iron and Steel Industry in India.
1899
Major R.H.Mohan, an artillery officer, issued a memorable report upon the manufacture of iron and steel in India. In the previous year there had been a great revival of iron trade throughout the world, and Major Mohan declared that the time had arrived for India to establish iron and steel works on a considerable scale.
Lord Curzon issues revised and liberalised rules for mining and prospecting
1900
Mr. Tata while in England met Lord George Hamiton and related to him the story of his attempts to find an Iron and Steel industry twenty years earlier. Lord Hamilton strongly urged him to proceed with his task as a duty he owed to the country, and promised to authorize the Government of India to give him all possible help.
1901
J N Tata precedes to USA. He studied Coking process at Birmigham. Mr. Tata visits Cleveland, world’s largest Ore market.
Meets and consults Julian Kennedy, the eminent metallurgist.
Meets and invites Charles Page Perin to take charge of the proposed Steel Plant as consulting engineer.
The 1st License to prospect in the Chanda district is obtained.
Work is initiated by Shapurji Shakatwala, a nephew of Mr. Tata.
1902
J N Tata goes on a trip to England and US. He meets prominent iron and steel manufactures and visits several centres of iron and steel production in US.
Charles Page Perin, eminent American consulting engineer, is engaged by J N Tata to undertake geological investigations essential for the setting up of Iron & Steel Industry.
1903
In April, C M Weld, and associate of C P Perin, and Dorabji Tata joined Shapurji Saklatvala, and entered upon a period of adventurous wandering. After continous inquiry into the area, they came to conclusion that the various iron deposits situated at some distance from each other were not continous but mere pockets and thus the Chanda project must be given up. Dorabji Tata was asked to inform Government that it was not possible to start iron and steel industry in India.
Dorab Tata went to Nagpur to see Sir Benjamin Robertson, then Chief Secretary of the Central Provinces Administration, to inform him about the conclusion they arrived at. The Chief Secretary happened to be out, so he drifted rather aimlessly into the mueseum opposite the Secretariat to await his return. There he came across a geological map of the Central Provinces which shows a large deposits of iron ore in Drug area, some 140 miles from the Chanda area.
Prospecting operations now shift to the Sambalpur district.
1904
P N Bose writes to Mr. Tata informing him of the presence of large iron ore and limestone within the Mourbhanj state and the possibility of obtaining coke from the neighbouring fields of Jharia and Raniganj.
1906
The preliminary prospectus is issued in London. It is submitted to various financial interests but meets with very little success.
1907
A new prospectus is published in India. The response is overwhelming. By the end of 3rd week the entire capital of Rs. 2.32 crores required is secured, contributed by some 8000 Indian.
The progress ultimately find what they are looking for and a village called Sakchi is choosen as site for setting up the industry.
M/s Julian Kennedy, Sahlin and Co., of Pittsburg, USA appointed Construction Engineer of the Tata Iron and Steel Co. Ltd.
1908
3,584 acres of land comprosing the villages of Sakchi, Nutandih, Susidih and Jugsalai acquired by Steel Co. at the cost of Rs. 46,632.00
Sahlin arrives in India with N O Renkin, the Resident Engineer to begin construction.
1909
The foundation are laid for the coke ovens and blast furnaces, Steel works and other sheds.
1911
The coke ovens are successfully fired on 12th September.
The first blast furnace with a capacity of 200 tonnes of pig iron per day is blown in on the 2nd December.
1912
Lord Crew, Secretary of State for India visits Sakchi on the 6th January. The Steel works are commissioned and the first heat is tapped on 16th February.
1915
One of the first school of Jamshedpur, K M P M High School, started by Mr. Perin.
1919
Sakchi is renamed Jamshedpur, Kalimati Station as Tatanagar by Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy of India, on the 2nd of January, on a visit to the work.
1920
In an effect to formalise and expand the medical facilities in the town a 300-bed Main Hospital complete with diagnostic and operating facilities is opened.
1932
For the 1st time Founder’s Day is celebrated in Jamshedpur.
1958
TISCO celebrates it Golden Jubilee in March and commemorates the occasion by gifting to the people of Jamshedpur the 237.75 acres Jubilee Park.
