Taking a breather

“The photograph below shows jute wallahs ‘eating the wind’ (howa kanikli in Hindi) on their jetty,” says Kenneth Miln of Monifieth.

“The picture, taken circa 1920, shows the Samson family and friend. During the hot weather (May to August in Bengal) jute wallahs would stroll out from their sweltering bungalows to take a breather on the mill jetty just before sundown when the temperature fell a few degrees.

“Note the steam piston-powered crane, used for lifting coarse jute-bales from river barges up to rail-mounted trolleys for transportation to the mills.

“The river is, of course, the Hooghly, with Chandanagger on the opposite bank. The jute wallah with the neat white jacket and ‘breeks’ is probably getting ready for a stint on night-shift.”