Ordnance Factories Board - History

History

Beginning

The history and development of Indian ordnance factories is directly linked with the British reign in India. The East India Company considered military hardware to be a vital element for securing their economic interest in India and increasing their political power. In 1775 British authorities accepted the establishment of the Board of Ordnance at Fort William, Calcutta. This marks the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.

In 1787 a gunpowder factory was established at Ichapore; it began production in 1791, and the site was later used as a rifle factory beginning in 1904. In 1801, Gun Carriage Agency (now known as Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore) was established at Cossipore, Calcutta, and production began on March 18, 1802. This is the oldest ordnance factory in India still in existence.

Growth

The growth of the Ordnance Factories Board leading to its present setup has been continuous but sporadic. There were eighteen ordnance factories before India became independent in 1947 and twenty-three factories have been established after independence, mostly in the wake of defence preparedness imperatives brought about by the three major wars fought by the Indian Armed forces.

Main Events

• 1801 - Establishment of Gun Carriage Agency at Cossipore, Kolkata.
• 1802 - Production begins at Cossipore on 18 March.
• 1906 - The Administration of Indian Ordnance Factories comes under a separate charge as "IG of Ordnance Factories".
• 1933 - Charged to "Director of Ordnance Factories".
• 1948 - Placed under direct control of Ministry of Defence.
• 1962 - Department of Defence Production was set up at Ministry of Defence.
• 1979 - Ordnance Factories Board is established on 2 April.