Deundi Tea Company Limited

Established in 1860 by the Alston family, Lalchand is one of the oldest tea gardens in Sylhet. It was unique at the time, as there were no other tea estates on the far side of Luskerpore. However, a journey through the forest of about seven or eight miles led to Lalchand Tea Estate, one of the properties owned by the Alston family, where M. H. Alston served as part proprietor and manager.Mat Alston, with his formal demeanor, a rarity in a Sylhet landscape dominated by basic bungalows... Read More

Established in 1860 by the Alston family, Lalchand is one of the oldest tea gardens in Sylhet. It was unique at the time, as there were no other tea estates on the far side of Luskerpore. However, a journey through the forest of about seven or eight miles led to Lalchand Tea Estate, one of the properties owned by the Alston family, where M. H. Alston served as part proprietor and manager.

Mat Alston, with his formal demeanor, a rarity in a Sylhet landscape dominated by basic bungalows and mud floors, was a man with a sharp mind and a generous spirit. He arrived in Sylhet to work in the tea industry in 1877, so by 1894, he would have been nearly forty years old. Like Sanderson, he exhibited no trace of pettiness, and his kind and tolerant nature positively influenced the younger workers, for whom the working conditions were often challenging and lacking in empathy. It is unclear whether his broader outlook on life was due to his role as a proprietor while other managers were mere employees, but Alston's perspective was undoubtedly wider.

He was also a skilled horseman and an exceptional hockey player, though I didn't see him play until my return to Sylhet in 1899. Alston's good health has persisted over the years, and he remains a cherished friend whose visits I always look forward to. His contributions to the tea industry and his enduring friendship make him a remarkable figure in the history of Sylhet's tea gardens.

Established in 1860 by the Alston family, Lalchand is one of the oldest tea gardens in Sylhet. It was unique at the time, as there were no other tea estates on the far side of Luskerpore. However, a journey through the forest of about seven or eight miles led to Lalchand Tea Estate, one of the properties owned by the Alston family, where M. H. Alston served as part proprietor and manager.Mat Alston, with his formal demeanor, a rarity in a Sylhet landscape dominated by basic bungalows... Read More