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India - Calcutta water carriers early 1900s
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India - Calcutta water carriers early 1900s
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Media ID 32380846
© The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive / Mary Evans
Calcutta Carriers Colonialism Kolkata
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This evocative photograph captures a moment in time from the early 1900s in Calcutta, India, now known as Kolkata. The image presents a group of local water carriers, their faces etched with the hardships of their daily labor, as they balance large earthen pots filled with water on their heads. The water, essential for survival in the city, is being transported from a nearby well or water source to homes and businesses. The scene is set against the backdrop of colonial Calcutta, with Victorian and Edwardian architecture dominating the urban landscape. The intricately designed buildings, remnants of British rule, stand tall and proud, casting long shadows over the bustling streets. A lantern, a common sight in the era, is visible in the foreground, adding to the vintage feel of the photograph. The water carriers, dressed in traditional Indian attire, are a stark contrast to the grandeur of the colonial structures. The image offers a glimpse into the lives of the local populace, who played a crucial role in the functioning of the city, yet remained largely unnoticed and unsung. The photograph, taken from The Keasbury-Gordon Photograph Archive Collection at Mary Evans Prints Online, is a poignant reminder of the complex interplay of cultures and socio-economic realities that characterized colonial Calcutta during the early 1900s. It invites us to reflect on the human stories that lie beneath the grand narratives of history and the enduring impact of colonialism on the world.
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