Rope Bridges in British Garhwal

 British Administration in Garhwal   -210

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -230

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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1064

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

   In Garhwal kingdom and even in British period or even after independence, there were following methods for crossing deep rivers.

     In Shrinagar and places as  Banghat, people used small boat or ‘Dunda’ for crossing rivers. ‘Dunda’ makers used to make ‘Dunda’ either by digging big tree stem and making wide and deep hole for space or by attaching wood plates with each other. ‘Dunda’ were always dangerous as there was fear of Dunda slipping by river waves or heavy weight.

     In other places, for crossing Ganga, people used to cross river by Khaladu (made by animal skin) or Tumri.

  People used heavy long pine sleeper for crossing Small River.

   ‘Sanga’ was a kind of wood bridges on rivers. At narrow place, bridges were made by wood sleepers or logs.

     Jhula was another type of bridge or river crossing medium. Tow long grass ropes were fit on trees on both sides of river. The difference two ropes used to be two feet. A swing was hung on two grass ropes. People used to cross by standing on swing.

        Another type of Rope Bridge was weird rope bridge ‘Chhinka’. There used to be only one grass rope fit on trees on both sides of river. A basket was hung on rope and with a rope was tied below basket. People used to sit on basket. The crosser used to pull the rope ties below basket towards his side.

 In British period, administration started making iron rope Way Bridge and bridges.

References  

1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 343-456

2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts Vol.2,

2 A- Trail Sketch of Kumaon, Asiatic Researches

3-Pau, Garhwal settlement

4- Becket, Garhwal Settlement Report

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 2/11/2017

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1065

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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter

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(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

 History of British Garhwal, History of Devalgarh Garhwal; History of Badhan Garhwal; History of Barasyun Garhwal; History of Chandpur Garhwal; History of Chaundkot Garhwal; History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  History of Tallasaln Garhwal; History of Dashauli Garhwal; History of Nagpur Garhwal; Society  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal