'There was a time when tangas used to be the only mode of transportation in Lucknow'
Deepanshu Mishra | May 28, 2019, 13:23 IST
In the old part of Lucknow, India's historical hub, you will find the fading profession of pulling horse carriages – a nawabi trend that is now finding very few takers
Lucknow
Raju and Jaggan Khan have been friends since past 10 years. Every morning Jaggan decks Raju up and together they step out of their home to make a living. Both Raju, the horse, and Jaggan, the horse cart owner, are inseparable.
"Raju is very dear to me. I bought him 10 years back when he was a baby. Since then he has been an obedient and hard-working friend," said Khan, 65, patting his horse. Both were waiting patiently for a ride outside Rumi Darwaza, an imposing gateway in Old Lucknow that was built in the 18th century.
Khan has been riding his taanga -- a two-wheeled single-horse driven wooden-cart -- for the past 50 years. He lives in the Khadra area of Old Lucknow with his wife and four children. His father was also a taangawala. Khan chose to continue the family tradition.
Khan manages to make about Rs 500- 600 per day. "I spend about Rs 100 to feed Raju and rest I spend on my family. Basic things like groceries and medicines are so expensive these days. It's difficult to make a living," said Khan.
Khan has seen many ups and downs in his business. "There was a time when taangas used to be the only mode of transportation in Lucknow. Those were beautiful days. We would hang lanterns on each side of our taangas for the post-sunset rides."
While Khan is possessive about Raju, his favourite was Laxmi, his ex (horse).
"I can never forget Lakshmi. She was very agile and sharp. She knew the road leading to my house so well that she could reach there on her own from any part of Old Lucknow," said Khan.
Khan had a choice to take up any profession, but his love for horses and riding taangas dominated his desire to do something else. "We took pride in riding taangas, but the younger generation feels ashamed to ride one or to hire one for a ride. Thankfully, tourists, both local and foreigners, prefer taangas while visiting local attractions like Rumi Bazaar or Imambara. It's a novelty for them."
Khan's taanga has featured in many movies as well. "Many directors have used my taanga as a prop. I have also taken many royal families on a ride," said Khan.
Juggan is a content man. "If I can feed Raju and my family at the age of 67, I can't ask for more."
Edited by: Swati Subhedar
Raju and Jaggan Khan have been friends since past 10 years. Every morning Jaggan decks Raju up and together they step out of their home to make a living. Both Raju, the horse, and Jaggan, the horse cart owner, are inseparable.
"Raju is very dear to me. I bought him 10 years back when he was a baby. Since then he has been an obedient and hard-working friend," said Khan, 65, patting his horse. Both were waiting patiently for a ride outside Rumi Darwaza, an imposing gateway in Old Lucknow that was built in the 18th century.
RDESController-483
Khan has been riding his taanga -- a two-wheeled single-horse driven wooden-cart -- for the past 50 years. He lives in the Khadra area of Old Lucknow with his wife and four children. His father was also a taangawala. Khan chose to continue the family tradition.
Khan manages to make about Rs 500- 600 per day. "I spend about Rs 100 to feed Raju and rest I spend on my family. Basic things like groceries and medicines are so expensive these days. It's difficult to make a living," said Khan.
RDESController-484
Khan has seen many ups and downs in his business. "There was a time when taangas used to be the only mode of transportation in Lucknow. Those were beautiful days. We would hang lanterns on each side of our taangas for the post-sunset rides."
While Khan is possessive about Raju, his favourite was Laxmi, his ex (horse).
"I can never forget Lakshmi. She was very agile and sharp. She knew the road leading to my house so well that she could reach there on her own from any part of Old Lucknow," said Khan.
RDESController-485
Khan had a choice to take up any profession, but his love for horses and riding taangas dominated his desire to do something else. "We took pride in riding taangas, but the younger generation feels ashamed to ride one or to hire one for a ride. Thankfully, tourists, both local and foreigners, prefer taangas while visiting local attractions like Rumi Bazaar or Imambara. It's a novelty for them."
Khan's taanga has featured in many movies as well. "Many directors have used my taanga as a prop. I have also taken many royal families on a ride," said Khan.
Juggan is a content man. "If I can feed Raju and my family at the age of 67, I can't ask for more."
Edited by: Swati Subhedar