Human Powered Sedans - The Story of Palanquins

An ancient form of luxurious travel

Palanquin (1824)Heritage Transport Museum

Travel in luxury

Today we travel by automobiles, but in the old times the luxurious means of travel was 'Palki' - or the Palanquin. 

Miyana Palki Miyana PalkiHeritage Transport Museum

Palanquin derives its name from Sanskrit term ‘palanki’ for bed or the couch, and later on British called it ‘Palan Queen’.

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Heritage Transport Museum has an array of cart and carriages. The pre mechanised section boasts of a number of bullock carts, horse carriages, camel carriages, saddlery and exquisite palkis.

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

The palkis displayed in this section are the testimony of the fine craftsmanship of the bygone time. These vary in size, design and style.

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

This beautifully decorated ‘Palki’ from 1850 is representative of the exquisite palanquin collection of the Heritage Transport Museum.

Indian TransportHeritage Transport Museum

Origins

The tradition of wheel-less carriages for travelling is very old in India.  The earliest literary reference of the use of palanquin, popularly known as ‘Palki’, can be traced back to Ramayana (approx 250 BC). 

Palanquin with bearersHeritage Transport Museum

Inspite of innovations in transport mediums and availability of the variety of transports, the use of ‘Palki’ in India continued till modern times.

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

The Structure

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

The body structure of Palki is in the form of a contraption supported by bamboo or wooden poles on each side.

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

It consisted of central seating space for one or two passengers. Like a covered cart, it provided shelter to the traveler from heat and dust.

The Palki entourage consisted of carriers, lamp bearers and others. Travellers would often carry necessary items which were used in the daily routine e.g saucepans, knife, soap, scissors, etc. since the journeys would sometimes take days.

Palki from Chhota Udaipur Palki from Chhota UdaipurHeritage Transport Museum

Here's a close up view of the central seating space

Palanquin with bearers (1900)Heritage Transport Museum

Every Palki was designed to be carried by a pair of men carrying it in pairs of four or six. The bearers were known with different regional nomenclatures such as Dulia, Kahar, Behara, Boyee etc.

A Company Period painting of a sedan chair with bearers (1900)Heritage Transport Museum

Here is a Company School painting showing a man from a wealthy class, probably the landlord, being transported in a palki by four bearers.

The bearers used to sing along the journeys. This was a profession that used to be hereditary. Some of the bearers from earlier times have stated learning this at the age of seventeen. The men entering into this profession needed to be physically strong.

Manner of travelling in PalanquinHeritage Transport Museum

Before starting up for the journeys, the bearers make up the difference of height by adding pads on the shoulders.

Palanquin presented by Marquis Cornwallis to Prince Abdul Calic, eldest son of Tippoo Sultaun (1800)Heritage Transport Museum

The design and ornamentation work would depend on the social status, need, length and purpose of journeys. The interiors were furnished with neat bedding usually stuffed with the cotton, and a pair of pillows. The richly ornamented ‘palki’ usually belonged to royalty and wealthy nobles.

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

Palkis were decorated using lacquer paintwork. The designs included foliage patterns, animal figures or geometrical designs.

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

Even the roof would carry decorative designs.

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

The window shutters could be opened or closed from inside of the palanquin.

Palki from Chhota Udaipur Palki from Chhota UdaipurHeritage Transport Museum

Here is the royal palanquin from the princely state of Chhotta Udaipur in Gujarat.

The decoration and ostentation on the palanquin revealed the status of the traveller. The royal palanquins were accompanied by singers, dancers and story tellers. The Indian craftsmen then were employed by a Company Stuart & Co. Coachmakers for decorating them.

Interior of PalanquinHeritage Transport Museum

The bedding done inside the palanquin, the side panels are covered with a brocaded cloth.

Palanquin FinialsHeritage Transport Museum

Finials

Palki (Palanquin)Heritage Transport Museum

Cast bronze finials were placed at the pole ends of the palki. These finials were in the form of birds, flowers, animals as well as figures from mythology and folklore's.

Palanquin FinialsHeritage Transport Museum

The finials represented various demigods and demons. The most common representation was that of a Yali (half lion half human head).

Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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The use of finials was also a reflection whether the owner was a male or female. The depicton of flowers was a typical scene on female carriages, whereas the fierce wild animals featured on male carriages.

Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Finial in an elephant design.

Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Exquisitely carved bronze finial from the Heritage Transport Museum.

Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Palanquin Finials, From the collection of: Heritage Transport Museum
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Modes of Travelling in India (1863) by The Illustrated London NewsHeritage Transport Museum

The Long, or Short, Journeys

First Experience of Calcutta Palki (1885) by The GraphicHeritage Transport Museum

Journeys in ‘palki’ were considered to be extremely personalized and enjoyable. The European traders during 18th century extensively used such vehicles to be transported to haats and bazaars. For the longer journeys the valuables of traveler were carried by the bearers who were larger in numbers.

Emperor Aurangzeb Carried on a Palanquin (circa 1775) by UnknownLos Angeles County Museum of Art

Extensive traditional usage of palki for weddings, religious and royal processions and various socio-cultural ceremonies has given it a ritualistic position in Indian heritage, even today. Indian musical heritage is rich with special Palki songs for various occasions.

Bhendy Bazar (1880) by Bourne & ShepherdHeritage Transport Museum

The coming of the railways and motorised conveyance modes led to the decline in the use of palanquins from the beginning of mid 19th century.

The 'palki' is now only reserved for special occasions.

The Jodhpur SaloonHeritage Transport Museum

Fun fact: The Bombay Baroda & Central India Railway have used the palki in their logo, as a tribute to the innovative human mind that has made our journeys faster.

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Do visit the Heritage Transport Museum!

Credits: Story

Mr. Tarun Thakral
Mr. Vivek Seth
Dr. Shashi Bala
Ms. Ragini Bhat

Literary Sources:
- Bygone Days in India by Douglas Dewar
- Palanquin with a View: A Short History of Travelling Eye by Malvika Karlekar. (Telegraph Online Edition).

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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