Maybe one of the last water carriers ( Bhishti /Mashki) of Bhera, Muhammad Sharif, from Mohalla Purani Abkari. He passed away in the 1st week of Jul 2024. May Allah Almighty bless his soul! Ameen.
In the video clip, just before his death sprinkling water in the courtyard of Sher Shah Suri Jama Mosque, Bhera. ( For information about his mohalla, Purani Abkari, see the website, bhera.org, under the Category, Mohallas of Bhera) . See the video clip, below and on the website, bhera.org, under the Category, Miscellaneous and Mosques of Bhera.
Zahid Mumtaz
Mohammad Sharif is sprinkling water with his Mashk in the courtyard of Jama Masjid, Bhera.
Information about Mashk and Bhishti / Mashki is given below for the information of the younger generation. An old mask has been displayed in the Shah Shah Suri Jama Masjid, Information Centre/ Museum. See on the website, bhera.org, under the category, Miscellaneous & Mosques of Bhera.
Mashk is a traditional water-carrying bag made of waterproof skin, normally of sheep or goat skin. The person who carries and distributes water is called Mashki or Bhishti. In the past, he usually filled his mask from the Khui (well) water.
As heard from the elders, there used to be posts of water – carriers in the Municipal Committee ( MC ), Bhera. In the morning, the sweepers of the MC cleaned the streets, including drains of mohallas and bazaars. Mashkis also watered the open drains to clean them properly along with the sweepers. After cleaning the drains, Chuna ( quick lime) was sprinkled on the drains to kill the insects. Hygienically, this practice was useful. The people of mohalla also cooperated, and these two persons were looked after by them.
With the availability of running water in the houses and streets, this culture has completely faded away in Bhera. I am not sure whether the water carriers are still on the inventory of MC Committee, Bhera, or they have been given some different name.
An old mask has been displayed in the Shah Shah Suri Jama Masjid ( 1540 AD ), Information Centre, and Museum for the knowledge of the younger generation. A picture of it is given below :
