A burden is a heavy weight that is difficult to carry. Metaphorically it refers to anything difficult or troubling.
Shimla has a labyrinth of narrow streets. It also has many roads that are completely blocked off to vehicular traffic. It is in places such as these that the "Khans" come in handy. This group of hardy Kashmiri men has been ferrying all sorts of stuff across town for over two centuries now.
''Soulless, colourless strain, thy words are the words of wisdom.Is not a mule, a mule, bear he a burden of gold?" asks Richard Garnett.
And then, there are some burdens which do not feel like burden at all....
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2 comments:
Came across your blog doing some random "googling" for Shimla..It’s been more than 2 hours and still glued to the screen , exhilarated by the old memories triggered by the wonderful & fascinating details captured by you about the "Shimla that Is " & the “Shimla that Was “
One such memory is the "Khan Bhai's” ....Used to be so impressed by the strength of the Khan Bhai who used to so effortlessly & gracefully bring in Two Loaded Gas Cylinders every month on his broad shoulders ..so much so that One of my many childhood ambitions was to become a "Khan" when i grow up…
These lovely & friendly Kashmiri men were and continue to be the back bone of Shimla Economy literally carrying it on their back…
Dear Budhaa, Apologies for a delayed response, this blog and I have been on a hiatus.
I thank you for your wonderful words. It's comments such as yours which keep me going on with my ode to my love - Shimla.
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