A

BRIEF HISTORY OF

MANUAL
SCAVENGING
IN INDIA

Manual Scavenging is an act of collecting

and disposing human excreta by other
human being using his/her hand.

2500 BC

The existence of wet toilets is in

the evidence from the ancient
Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
civilization of 2500 BC.The cities
from these civilisations had an
underground drainage system
which was connected to toilets
made by lining burned clay
bricks.

1300 BC
Excavations from one of the
prominent cities of the Indus
Valley civilization, Lothal shows
existence of water borne toilets
in each, with a planned drainage
system. Chambers, and
manholes were also made for
the maintenance of these
drainage systems. The decline of
the Indus valley civilisation also
led to decline of the scientific
and effective drainage systems.

1857 -1947 AD

Under the British colonial rule,

the work of manual scavenging
was legitimised and systematised
during the set up of army
cantonments and municipalities.
Manual scavengers were given
official posts, all British institutes
were equipped of dry toilets and
sewage.

1947 AD

During the partition of India

,Dalit Hindus who were involved
in manual scavenging were
forced to remain in Pakistan.The
Indian government had tried to
make the passage of Hindus
safe during the partition
however, the concern did not
extended to Dalit Hindus left
behind in Pakistan.

MailaMukti