Nowadays, whenever we get thirsty on trains, buses, roads, or restaurants, we get in our hands a sealed cold or normal water bottle. However, we did not have a fridge a few decades ago.
A
question may arise: “Did not people drink cold water then?”
Yes,
of course, they would.
Even though there was no fridge at that time, there was bhisti.
A ‘Bhisti’ is a kind of bag that looks like a sack. This special bag made of goat skin is also called ‘Mashaq’. If you keep water in it, it will remain as cold as a refrigerator. Those who used to deliver water with a bag from house to house are known as ‘Bhisti,’ which means water bearer.
There is a connection between history and the water bag bearers. There is a saying that once Mughal ruler Humayun was drowning in water. Then, a water bearer saved him. He even swam to the shore holding the water bag. As a token of gratitude, Humayun sat the water bearer on his throne for a day.
In Dhaka and Kolkata, in undivided India, these water bearers used to work distributing water.
In this over-smart era, which exists merely in smartphones, today’s generation may not know about water bearers.
‘Bhisti’ is the corruption of the Persian word ‘Behesta,’ which means heaven. In the western and central parts of the world, images of rivers and gardens have been found in most of the images of heaven.
It is said that water bearers would bring water from the river of heaven and distribute it among people. So, they also used to be called angels of heaven.
Once they had exclusive access to heaven.
In the early hours of the morning, coming out on the street and opening the door, we would see the water bearers.
These people of the Muslim community used to go out with leather bags filled with water on their shoulders.
Once, there was the use of water bearers in Delhi too.
However, Mustakim Tea Stall outside Jama Masjid is still able to keep this ancient method alive.
If you go to the tea stall, you will see long bags made of goat skin hanging. For ages, water bearers have been living in Sakke Wali Gali in old Delhi.
