How the ancient profession of 'Vistiwala' gradually disappeared from Dhaka

                                                                         "vestiwala"
 

In today's era, drinking water bottles are available at hand to quench the thirst of people in extreme heat, safe water supply is also ensured in homes. But there was a time when the only hope for drinking water was the 'Vistiwalas' of the city.

 

They used to deliver cool water from house to house one day.

 

However, this profession disappeared from Dhaka in the sixties. However, this profession still persists in some areas in Calcutta, India.

Like many parts of undivided India, Dhaka once had to depend on canals, rivers or wells for drinking water.

Usually the citizens of Dhaka had to depend on the water of Shitalakshya and Buriganga rivers.

 

All the wells that were there were also lacking fresh water. At that time these vestiwalas used to go door to door to deliver water

Various books written about the history of Dhaka have mentioned about the Vistiwalas.

 

The existence of Bhistis in Dhaka has been written in detail in the book 'Dhaka: Smriti Bismriti Nagari' by historian Professor Muntasir Mamun.

“In the sixties, I also saw vestiwalas in Dhaka. Then there was a shortage of fresh water lines."

 

"The people of this profession used to deliver water from house to house. They used to give water from house to house with a big leather mash they had."

                A rare picture of a vestiwala

They used to deliver water from house to house chanting 'Vhisti abe visti'

However, there are different opinions about how this name 'Visti' came about.

 

Some believe that the word 'Visti' is derived from the Persian word 'Behesht', which means 'heaven'.

 

It is found in various history books that during the Mughal period, the residents of Lalbagh Fort used to carry muskets filled with water.

During the Mughal period, in those houses where there was no running water, the vestiwalas were the only help.

 

In Dhaka, vestiwalas were called 'Sakka'.

 

During the Mughal period and before the establishment of water mills in Dhaka in 1878, these professionals supplied water to the city dwellers.

 

These professionals were responsible for providing water for any religious festival, event or gathering.

The special bag made of leather used by vestiwalas to carry water is called 'Mashak'. These bags were made from goat skin with special skill by the Vishtis.

Before the establishment of the concept of trade unions in the modern world, these Vistiwalas or Sakkas had their own organization in Dhaka during the Mughal period.

The area where these professionals lived in Old Dhaka became known as Sakkatuli. Later this area was known as Sikkatuli.

 

                                                          Mughal emperor Humayun;

There is also an example in the pages of history that a

 vestiwala saved the Mughal emperor Humayun and became

 the emperor for a day. The Battle of Chawsa was fought

 on 26 June 1539 AD between the Mughal emperor 

Humayun and the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri. 

This battle was fought at a place called Chausa near Benares.

 King Humayun and his army were resting in the silent,

 silent tent that afternoon. Sher Shah's army suddenly attacked

 before anyone knew anything. Afghan Sher Shah Suri had a

 much stronger army than Humayun's army.

 Also Humayun's treacherous brothers Kamran and Hindal

 joined the enemy in their desire to capture the kingdom.

 

As a result Humayun's army was scattered, his horse slipped and fell into the river.

 

The Mughal emperor Humayun also jumped into the Ganges without thinking about it.

 

When the king was drowning in the river, Vistiwala Nizam appeared as a savior. He filled the musk with air and gave it to the emperor.

 

Humayun crossed the Ganges on this mash of Nizam of Vestiwala. Nizam himself was clutching this bag.

That day Emperor Humayun survived due to the bravery of Visthiwala.

 

On that day King Humayun Vistiwala promised the Nizam, even for one day, to seat him in the masnad.

 

Later Emperor Humayun kept his promise. He appointed Nizam Vistiwala to the masnad of Agra for one day.

 

The Nizam of Vistiwala issued several orders during his short one-day rule.

Nizam, a one-time Mughal emperor, cut his mask into small pieces and stamped them.

 

He issued coins with his name and the date of accession to the state on all the stamps. This is how a vestiwala commemorates his one-day imperial rule.

Dhaka did not have a permanent system of fresh water until the eighteenth century.

Till the 60s, the Vishtiwalas did this work of water supply in Dhaka with considerable power.

 

According to the information of various history books, since 1968, the existence of these professionals gradually disappeared in Dhaka.

 

However, a few houses of this professional still survive in several areas in Kolkata, India.

 

 

                                An indian "vistiwala"SHASHI GHOSH