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Weighing cotton at Bombay for the English market, 1862. Creator: Joseph Austin Benwell
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Weighing cotton at Bombay for the English market, 1862. Creator: Joseph Austin Benwell
Weighing cotton at Bombay for the English market, 1862. Here...the bales are landed from Surat, Baroche, Cambay, and other parts of Guzerat, Kuttyawa, and Cutch...owing to the absence of good roads for vehicles, the ordinary means of conveyance was, until very recently, by pack-bullocks...This costly and tedious mode of conveyance has now, however, given place in a measure to the railway, although it still has to be employed for bringing the cotton-bales from outlying districts...to the nearest stations on the line of railway. The bale of cotton weighs about 7cwt. and, until compressed by the capstan-screw, is bulky and unwieldy; but this process reduces the bulk one half nearly, and puts it in better form for stowage when the time of shipment arrives. The Illustration shows the process of weighing in the custom-house yard at Bombay. The porterage of almost all articles is done by Hamals, the caste which supplies the palankeen-bearers. Though not by any means robust, they are capable of carrying heavy burdens by means of slings and cross bamboos, which enable them to apply the combined strength of a large number of men to one article, and it is thus the bales of cotton are carried to and fro with the greatest ease'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Weighing Cotton at Bombay, 1862" is a captivating photograph by English artist Joseph Austin Benwell, showcasing the intricate process of cotton weighing at the bustling port city of Bombay, India. The image offers a glimpse into the economic and labor dynamics of the cotton trade during the British colonial era. Cotton bales, transported from Surat, Baroche, Cambay, and other regions of Gujarat, Kuttyawa, and Cutch, are depicted being unloaded from ships. The absence of good roads for vehicles necessitated the use of pack-bullocks for transportation, a costly and time-consuming method that has largely been replaced by railways. However, the railway is still employed for transporting cotton from outlying districts to the nearest railway stations. Each bale of cotton weighs approximately 7cwt., and before shipment, it undergoes the process of compression using a capstan-screw to reduce its bulk. The photograph captures the weighing process in the custom-house yard at Bombay. Porters, belonging to the Hamal caste, are responsible for transporting the heavy bales using slings and cross bamboos, enabling them to harness the combined strength of multiple men to move a single article with ease. This photograph offers a unique perspective on the intricacies of the cotton trade during the British colonial era, highlighting the labor-intensive process of transporting and weighing cotton in Bombay, India. The Hamals' remarkable ability to transport heavy loads using traditional methods adds to the intrigue, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the workforce in the face of challenging conditions. Overall, "Weighing Cotton at Bombay, 1862" is a captivating visual representation of the economic and labor dynamics of the cotton trade during the British colonial era, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past.
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