A single letter from geologist P.N. Bose to industrialist J.N. Tata laid the foundation for Indias steel industry and changed the nations industrial landscape. The discovery of iron ore in the Gorumahisani hills of Mayurbhanj not only resolved Tatas search for raw materials but also paved the way for the establishment of Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) in Sakchi. One Letter Made History P.N. Bose a renowned geologist and former member of the Indian Geological Survey was serving as the chief geologist of the Mayurbhanj princely state when he made a groundbreaking discovery. In 1904 he identified significant iron ore deposits in the Gorumahisani hills. Recognizing the industrial potential of this find Bose wrote to J.N. Tata on February 24 1904 detailing the high-quality iron ore in Mayurbhanj and the abundant coal reserves in Jharia. At the time Tata was planning to set up a steel plant but faced challenges in sourcing raw materials. Boses letter provided a critical solution to this problem setting the stage for a transformative development in Indian industry. Tata’s Search For Raw Materials Initially the Tata family was exploring options in the Central Provinces specifically the Chandrapur district where they found iron ore in Lohara and coal in Warora. However these resources proved unsuitable for steel production. Subsequently Dorabji Tata learned about iron ore deposits in Dalli-Rajhara during a visit to a museum in Nagpur but the lack of coking coal and water rendered the location unfeasible. Boses discovery in Mayurbhanj offered an ideal solution combining high-quality iron ore and abundant coal resources. Birth Of TISCO Boses letter not only guided Tatas plans but also drew support from the government which promised to assist in establishing a steel plant. By 1906 the government committed to purchasing steel for a fixed period and providing additional assistance. On August 26 1907 Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) was formally registered with an initial capital of Rs 2.31 crore. Construction of the steel plant began in 1908 and production officially commenced on February 16 1912. The plant was established in Sakchi which would later become Jamshedpur named after J.N. Tata. Letter That Became Cornerstone P.N. Bose’s letter to J.N. Tata became the cornerstone of Indias steel industry. It not only transformed the Indian industrial history but also shaped the nations economic future. It highlights the importance of resource discovery collaboration and vision in building a nation’s industrial legacy. Today Bose’s letter remains an enduring symbol of the transformative power of knowledge and action.