Sketches in India - Slinging Letter-bags across a Nullah in the Rainy Season, 1858. Creator: Unknown

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images

Sketches in India - Slinging Letter-bags across a Nullah in the Rainy Season, 1858. Creator: Unknown

Sketches in India - Slinging Letter-bags across a Nullah in the Rainy Season, 1858....the contrivance in use...when the streams and mountain torrents are so much swollen that in many of them the fords have become impassable. The dawk-wala cares little for a drenching shower of rain. Being himself not incumbered with much to get wet in the shape of clothes, and the bags in which the letters are locked being watertight, he welcomes a smart fall of rain as a refreshing shower-bath...The violence with which a mountain torrent descends to the plains in India is inconceivable to most Europeans. Sweeping before it all movable obstacles, it... [leaves] immense gaps and ravines...forming rivers and lakes in the low ground where but a few hours only before you looked for jungle-pathways and paddy-fields...it becomes a question of considerable interest to him whether certain nullahs which he knows he will have to encounter are fordable or not...Should the next stream prove to be unfordable, his progress is stopped, but he will find that a relay is ready on the opposite shore, and a rope suspended across the water: upon this rope he strings his letter-bags, attaching a second rope, by which the burden...is drawn along its perilous way'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858

Heritage Images features heritage image collections

Media ID 36352925

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Communication Contraption Correspondence Delivering Delivery Letter Letters Mail Post Postman Pulling Rainy Season Rope Ropes Hindoostan Ingenious

FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Animals > Mammals > Muridae > Plains Mouse

> Asia > India > Lakes > Related Images

EDITORS COMMENTS
is an evocative image capturing the determination and resourcefulness of a dawk-wala, or mail carrier, navigating the monsoon season in colonial India. In this photograph, the dawk-wala is skillfully slinging letter-bags across a nullah, or drainage channel, as heavy rainfall pours down around him. The contrivance in use is a simple yet effective solution when fords have become impassable due to the swollen streams and mountain torrents. The dawk-wala, unburdened by excessive clothing, welcomes the rain as a refreshing shower-bath. His letter-bags, securely locked and watertight, remain unaffected by the downpour. The violence of the monsoon rains in India is a spectacle that leaves many Europeans in awe. The force of the water sweeps away all movable obstacles, creating immense gaps and ravines, transforming jungle-pathways and paddy-fields into rivers and lakes. The dawk-wala's journey is not without challenges. He must assess whether the nullahs he encounters are fordable or not. Should the next stream prove to be unfordable, his progress is halted, but he will find that a relay is ready on the opposite shore, and a rope suspended across the water. Upon this rope, he strings his letter-bags, attaching a second rope by which the burden is drawn along its perilous way. This photograph provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of a mail carrier in colonial India during the monsoon season, showcasing their resilience and ingenuity in overcoming the natural challenges presented by the region.

MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools

FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!

SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you

* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.