John Peter Grant, who was Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal from 1859 to 1862, was born on this day. His name is linked with the controversial publication of the English translation of Dinabandhu Mitra’s play Nil Darpan, which was a scathing indictment of the exploitation of Indian workers by Europeans in indigo plantations.

James Long, an Anglican Church priest, had brought the play, first published in 1860, to the attention of a British official who spoke about it to Grant. He requested an English translation of the play. Long organised it and it is believed that Michael Madhusudan Dutt translated the play.

Long faced a trial for the translation and was found guilty, though he had the sympathy of many.

Grant was later appointed Governor of Jamaica.

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