Interesting Occupation

[Kit]

I've just switched to looking for OH's India BMD's on FMP and found a man that worked in the Opium Department.

Must have been an interesting position.

[Asa]

Lol! I wonder what they did:-)

A lot of sniffing I'd imagine lol

[Chris in Sussex]

I wonder how 'high' he got in the department

[Olde Crone]

They were concerned with issuing licences for legal opium growing, and for catching and punishing illegal opium producers. All about revenue, nothing about morals.

OC

[Shona]

George Orwell's father, Richard Blair, worked in the Opium Department of the Indian Civil Service. The Indian-grown opium was exported to China.

[Janet]

Hence the Opium Wars.

[Kit]

Julie and Chris you are bad.

Although he only ever said he worked there, not what position. lol

OC that sounds quite boring.

I know nothing about selling opium or the wars. Will have to google it.

[Olde Crone]

Oooh, not boring if you were creeping through the fields, or chasing down a boat with illegal opium on it!

OC

[Kit]

That sounds more exciting, unless you were wet and uncomfortable.