The Historical Role of Punkah-Wallahs in Colonial India

This article delves into the historical role of punkah-wallahs in colonial India, exploring their labor conditions and the significance of the punkah fan. It highlights the challenges faced by these workers, their exploitation, and the cultural implications of their work during the British Raj. Readers will gain insight into a unique aspect of India's colonial past and the dynamics of labor during that era.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 11, 2026, 22:20 IST

Understanding the Punkah and Its Operators

The scorching summers of India, well-known among British society, attracted families of colonial officers to the subcontinent during British rule. At that time, India lacked adequate facilities to combat the notorious heat, particularly the dry winds of May and June. To address this discomfort, a manual ceiling fan known as the pankha or punkah was employed, operated by individuals called punkah-wallahs. This traditional fan consisted of a wooden beam from which fabric was suspended, manually swayed to create a breeze. Such fans were prevalent in colonial India throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

The term punkah is derived from the Hindustani word pankha, which itself comes from the Sanskrit word paksha, meaning 'wing'. In the late 18th century, it referred to handheld fans made from cloth, palm fronds, or woven materials. Handheld fans, including fly-whisks, have been utilized in the Indian subcontinent since at least the 3rd century BCE. The term punkah evolved during colonial times to describe a large, ceiling-hung fan operated by a rope. Its origins can be traced back to the Arab Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century, where it was known as marwaha al-khaish, meaning 'linen fan'. The Awadhi courts also utilized steam-powered pankhas.

Imagine the arduous task of pulling a punkah throughout the night while someone slept. This labor was typically assigned to lower-caste men, who were engaged in menial jobs. These punkah-wallahs worked tirelessly in shifts to ensure their employers remained cool during the oppressive heat. Their exploitation was significant, as they performed physically demanding work under harsh conditions. Historian Arun Kumar noted that at least two sets of workers were required to maintain cooling around the clock, with only brief relief in the mornings and evenings. This situation exemplified the relentless extraction of labor and the power dynamics between master and servant.

Failure to stay awake while operating a punkah could lead to punishment. In the 1880s, these workers earned a mere Rs 3 per month. They often had to pull the fan from an adjacent room while lying on their backs, forcing them into uncomfortable positions to remain alert. Privacy concerns also arose, as these workers were positioned just outside living quarters and could overhear private discussions. Consequently, some employers opted to hire individuals with hearing impairments for this reason.

Despite the introduction of electric fans, many continued to prefer the low-cost, exploitative labor of punkah-pullers. While records of resistance among these workers are scarce, it is known that they staged a strike in 1898.