Bhisti Collection

Christ and the Samaritan Woman, 1310. Creator: Duccio di Buoninsegna
Christ and the Samaritan Woman, 1310.

Fellah Women Drawing Water, c1873-75. Creator: Jean-Leon Gerome
Fellah Women Drawing Water, c1873-75.

The Brook, 1829. Creator: Edward Calvert
The Brook, 1829.

Tunis water-carriers, 1864. Creator: Joseph Austin Benwell
Tunis water-carriers, 1864. The group represented in our Engraving under this title is from a sketch by an artist who recently visited Tunis and thence went overland to Egypt

View of the Inside Gate at Bangalore, Mysore, 1794. Creator: Robert Home
View of the Inside Gate at Bangalore, Mysore, 1794

Moorish Fountain, Algiers, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Moorish Fountain, Algiers, 1858. In all Mohammedan cities fountains are very numerous and picturesque, and often magnificent

Sketches at Gibraltar, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Sketches at Gibraltar, 1876. Engraving from a sketch by...a valued correspondent and amateur artist, Major W. O. Carlile, R.A...Eggs; Chickens; Milkman; Water Carriers; Spanish Caleche; Spanish Women

Peasant Woman with Jar, 1852-1866. Creator: Paul Gavarni
Peasant Woman with Jar, 1852-1866

Milkmaids on the Riverbank, Folio from a Rasikapriya (The Connoisseur's Delights), c1650. Creator: Unknown
Milkmaids on the Riverbank, Folio from a Rasikapriya (The Connoisseur's Delights), c1650

Women of Kassala carrying water; A journey through Soudan and Western Abyssinia... 1875. Creator: Unknown
Women of Kassala carrying water; A journey through Soudan and Western Abyssinia, with Reminiscences of Captivity, 1875. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates

A Young Rider Approaches a Water Reservoir, c1750. Creator: Unknown
A Young Rider Approaches a Water Reservoir, c1750

Girl carrying Water, c.1855-1860. Creator: Jean Francois Millet
Girl carrying Water, c.1855-1860

Mexican Water-Carrier (Aguador); A Zigzag Journey through Mexico, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Mexican Water-Carrier (Aguador); A Zigzag Journey through Mexico, 1875. From Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates. [Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, c1880, London] and Galpin

Water carrier, 1840-1879. Creator: Emile Prisse D'Avennes
Water carrier, 1840-1879

Desert landscape with water carriers, 1919. Creator: Marius Bauer
Desert landscape with water carriers, 1919

Bou-Zarea (Algeria), 1890. Creator: Henry Brokman
Bou-Zarea (Algeria), 1890

Sur le Pont de Trichinopoly (Inde), 04–1911. Creator: Paul Albert Besnard
Sur le Pont de Trichinopoly (Inde), 04-1911

La Fontaine. Creator: Hubert Robert
La Fontaine

Le Carnaval des rues de Paris, 1757. Creator: Etienne Jeaurat
Le Carnaval des rues de Paris, 1757

Column of Dilius and Obelisque Fountain, 1574. Creator: Anon
Column of Dilius and Obelisque Fountain, 1574

Sketch of a Copperplate Print of the City of Washington (Amerika shu no uchi washintonfu... 1861. Creator: Yoshikazu)
Sketch of a Copperplate Print of the City of Washington (Amerika shu no uchi washintonfu no kei doban no utsushi), 1861. [Americans seen through Japanese eyes]

Artists Models on the Steps of the Trinita de Monte - Rome, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Artists Models on the Steps of the Trinita de Monte - Rome, 1850....a sketch of characters peculiar to the streets of Rome, viz

Water-Carrier at Hampstead, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Water-Carrier at Hampstead, [London], 1850. The soft water used for domestic purposes is supplied chiefly from two springs at the opposite and extreme ends of the town, the one being at North End

Water-carrier, Samarkand, between 1905 and 1915. Creator: Sergey Mikhaylovich Prokudin-Gorsky
Water-carrier, Samarkand, between 1905 and 1915. In album: Views in Central Asia, Russian Empire

Street Scene-San Juan, c1927. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Street Scene-San Juan, c1927

Acoma water carriers, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Acoma water carriers, c1905. Four Acoma Indians gather to collect water

In the village of Santa Clara, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
In the village of Santa Clara, c1905. Two Pueblo women carrying jugs on their heads; trees, rail fence, stick structure along dirt path in the background

Zuni water carriers, c1903. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Zuni water carriers, c1903. Two females, full length, wearing blankets, pots on heads

Maricopa water girl, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Maricopa water girl, c1907. Maricopa woman squatting beside stream filling jug with water

Qahatika water girl, Arizona, c1907. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Qahatika water girl, Arizona, c1907. Photograph shows a girl balancing a water jug on her head

Mohave woman carrying water on her head and holding child, c1903. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Mohave woman carrying water on her head and holding child, c1903

Hopi water girls, c1906. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Hopi water girls, c1906. Five Hopi girls getting water in jugs

En Al Leih, c1903. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
En Al Leih, c1903. En Al Leih, Indian woman, half-length portrait, facing left, with decorated clay pot on head

Water carrier, 1909. Creator: Franz Seifert
Water carrier, 1909

Water wagon, between c1900 and c1930. Creator: Unknown
Water wagon, between c1900 and c1930

Manilla Water-Carrier, 1857. Creator: Unknown
Manilla Water-Carrier, 1857. The men carry water in bamboos...I saw a fellow up the country bring in several yards (of water)'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857

Baggage-animal, India; Black Bear shooting in the Himalayas, 1875. Creator: G. Beste
Baggage-animal, India; Black Bear shooting in the Himalayas, 1875. [Beast of burden and man using a yoke to carry earthenware pots]. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates

Study: Woman with a Jar, 1887. Creator: Pierre Victor Galland
Study: Woman with a Jar, 1887

Ono no Komachi at Seki Temple (Seki), from the series The Seven Fashionable Aspects of... 1751 / 64
Ono no Komachi at Seki Temple (Seki), from the series The Seven Fashionable Aspects of Komachi (Furyu yatsushi nana Komachi), Edo period (1615-1868), 1751/64

Woman in the Desert. Creator: Dorte Verner
Woman in the Desert

Scene from the Story of Buddha Ushnisha, from a Set of Initiation Cards (Tsakali), 14th/15th century

A water vendor, 1765. Creator: Suzuki Harunobu
A water vendor, 1765

Water Carriers on the Nile, 1891. Creator: John Singer Sargent
Water Carriers on the Nile, 1891

Three Water Carriers at the Shore, late 18th century. Creator: Katsukawa Shunko
Three Water Carriers at the Shore, late 18th century

Versailles, L'Eau par Legras, 1901. Creator: Eugene Atget
Versailles, L'Eau par Legras, 1901. A work made of albumen print

Leather Water Bucket, c. 1939. Creator: Edward L Loper
Leather Water Bucket, c. 1939

Venetian Water Carrier, 1879-1880. Creator: James Abbott McNeill Whistler
Venetian Water Carrier, 1879-1880

Indian Natives: Bhisti, or Water Carrier (coloured photo)
5221872 Indian Natives: Bhisti, or Water Carrier (coloured photo) by Indian photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bhisti, or Water Carrier)

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"Bhisti: The Water Carriers of the World" Water is a precious resource, and throughout history, various cultures have relied on dedicated individuals to transport this life-giving liquid. From the bustling streets of India to the serene landscapes of North Carolina, water carriers have played an essential role in sustaining communities worldwide. In 1875, amidst the majestic Himalayas, a black bear shooting took place. However, hidden within this event was a glimpse into the lives of bhistis - animal-like baggage handlers who tirelessly carried loads through treacherous terrains. Their strength and resilience were unmatched as they navigated rugged paths to ensure that villages had access to water. Fast forward to 1939 in Person County, North Carolina; Dorothea Lange captured an image that portrayed another aspect of water carrying. A humble Negro sharecropper house stood as a testament to hard work and perseverance in an era marked by racial inequality. Within these walls resided individuals who understood the value of every drop brought home by their local bhisti. Pierre Victor Galland's 1887 study titled "Woman with a Jar" showcases yet another facet of water carriers' existence. This painting immortalizes their grace and elegance while balancing heavy vessels upon their heads - a skill passed down through generations. Traveling eastward from Japan's Edo period (1751/64), Suzuki Harunobu's depiction presents Ono no Komachi at Seki Temple. Here we witness how even revered figures like Komachi recognized the significance of water carriers in daily life rituals. Venturing into modern times, Danish artist Dorte Verner captures "Woman in the Desert, " emphasizing how arid regions rely heavily on skilled bhistis for survival amidst harsh conditions. The story continues with scenes from Buddha Ushnisha depicted on initiation cards known as Tsakali. These intricate illustrations highlight not only spiritual teachings but also emphasize how water carriers played a vital role in spreading enlightenment.