History of Electricity Industry in India1 Since the research project undertaken by the researcher relates to the power sector organizations, it is felt necessary to have a clear understanding and knowledge about the growth and development of the electricity industry in India, particularly in West Bengal. A brief idea of such issues/perspectives is given herein. In our country consumption of electricity was started for lightening the palaces of the King of Coochbehar in West Bengal and the King of Bikaner in Rajasthan in the early 1800s. In December 1896 Indian Electric Company, which was registered in London in 1895was granted a license to distribute and sell electricity in a 5.6square mile area in the city of Calcutta, the then capital of British Raj in India, under the Calcutta Electricity Lighting Act for 21 years. Kilburn & Company