ORB.30/5370(31)

Genre: Ethnographical Photography

Oval image. Group of two men and two women, squatting on the ground: 'The Wadaries or Indian Navvies, employed upon the Railway running through Berar, are believed to be descended from a Gond father, and a Mahratta mother. This belief however is disputed by the people themselves, who claim an origin from the tears that were shed by Sita, the wife of Ram, while being carried across the sea by Raon ...The Wadaries as a people have no fixed habitations, being dispersed all over the country in working parties under a headman. As laborers they are superior to all others, the whole of the cuttings, and banks of the G. I. P. Railway having been completed by them; their women and children taking a share of the work, and working at night, as well as by day. In appearance, and dress, they are excessively dirty, and greatly addicted to drinking, to which, in great measure, their poverty is to be attributed. Their camps resemble those of the Gipsies; consisting entirely of reed, and bamboo matting, and so light as to be readily removed. They are divided into two classes, viz. those who take contracts for furnishing brick, and stone for bridges, and those who contract for earth work. Highly as they are paid, their property consists of a few donkies - a mill, for grinding corn - a few earthen pots - one or two drinking vessels, and a few changes of linen...' For another copy of this photograph, see Photo 993(31).