Wallah Collection

Barburdar, punkah wallah or fan bearer, in loincloth and turban, with fan made of a palmyra leaf
FLO4565348 Barburdar, punkah wallah or fan bearer, in loincloth and turban, with fan made of a palmyra leaf. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by an unknown artist from " Asiatic Costumes

PUNKAH-WALLAH
A PUNKAH-WALLAH keeps the air moving while eleven servants wait on 8 or 9 British diners Date: circa 1840

A little respite
Trevor Cole

Streets of Kolkata
Trevor Cole

Indian servants clothes: hukabardar or hookah pipe bearer, caukidar or watchman, serkar or steward
FLO4623941 Indian servants clothes: hukabardar or hookah pipe bearer, caukidar or watchman, serkar or steward, jamadar or head servant, seated banian or chief servant comptroller

Rickshaw wallah at work
Trevor Cole

An arduous task
Trevor Cole

Indian servants clothes: hukabardar or hookah pipe bearer, caukidar or watchman, serkar or steward, jamadar or head servant, seated banian or chief servant comptroller, chobdar or mace bearer

Sonah wallah or itinerant goldsmith of India
Travelling goldsmith in India. Date: 1834

An English Official and his native servants, c. 1860 (colour litho)
PNP310576 An English Official and his native servants, c.1860 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures; English, out of copyright

Dhobies at work, 20th century

Banda Wallah (showman) with boy and animals, India
Banda Wallah (showman) with boy and three animals (monkey, goat and bear), India. Date: circa 1905

Jat Sirdars with attendant, India
Three Jat Sirdars (Sikh leaders) with attendant, India. Date: circa 1890s

Asia, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur (Pink City). The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur

Three samp wallahs, or snake charmers
A trio of Indian snake charmers (samp wallahs) demonstrate their art

British at Dinner
The British dine while a punkah-wallah cools the air : the servants seem to outnumber the guests

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"Wallah: Unveiling the Enigmatic World of Indian Servants in Kolkata" In the bustling streets of Kolkata, amidst the chaos and fervor, a little respite can be found in the lives of wallahs. These individuals, often dressed in traditional Indian servants clothes like hukabardar or hookah pipe bearer, caukidar or watchman, serkar or steward, jamadar or head servant, seated banian or chief servant comptroller, and chobdar or mace bearer, play an integral role in society. From rickshaw wallahs tirelessly navigating through crowded lanes to transport weary passengers to their destinations to Sonah wallahs showcasing their skills as itinerant goldsmiths of India – each profession carries its own unique story. The Arabian and Spanish hunting scenes adorning walls provide a glimpse into their diverse backgrounds. Yet behind these seemingly mundane tasks lies an arduous task that demands dedication and loyalty. An English official is captured alongside his native servants from c. 1860; a testament to the intricate relationship between colonial masters and their trusted aides. Among them stands the punkah-wallah - responsible for manually operating large fans known as punkhas - ensuring comfort even during scorching summers. Meanwhile, dhobies diligently work on laundry chores with precision in 20th-century settings. While some may perceive them merely as "servants, " these they are guardians of tradition and culture. They embody resilience and adaptability within a rapidly changing world. So next time you stroll through the vibrant streets of Kolkata, take a moment to appreciate these unsung heroes who silently shape our daily lives – for they are more than just "wallahs.