The Human Plows of Chandni Chowk
Delhi, India, October 2008
Dilapidated havelis, winding souk-like streets congested with workers, rickshaws and merchant shops which sell anything imaginable from saris to electrical appliances-- Chandi Chowk is the bustling heart of a 16th century Delhi. The "chowk", reknown as one of the oldest and busiest markets of Delhi, still survives on legacy practices such as the "Human Plow". Cows, considered sacred in India, laze about as men do the mule work, literally strapped to the yoke transporting mountainous cargo through the streets. As productive as worker bees, each man is a vital player to the demands of commerce--under the promise of a few rupees a day!
