The rickshaw pullers of Kolkata

01/12

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A rickshaw puller rides his rickshaw through the streets of Kolkata. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

02/12

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03/12

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A rickshaw puller rides his rickshaw through the streets of Kolkata with customers. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

04/12

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A rickshaw driver waits for customers with his rickshaw. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

05/12

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A rickshaw driver waits for customers with his rickshaw. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

06/12

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A rickshaw rider pulls his cart. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

07/12

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Portrait of a rickshaw driver. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

08/12

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Portrait of a rickshaw driver. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

09/12

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A rickshaw driver waits for customers. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

10/12

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A rickshaw driver pulls his rickshaw through the streets of Kolkata. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

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12/12

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A rickshaw driver waits for customers. A pulled rickshaw (or ricksha) is a mode of human-powered transport by which a runner draws a two-wheeled cart which seats one or two persons.

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Rickshaw drivers of Kolkata transport their customers through the streets. Kolkata. Images taken in October 2010

Kolkata is the last city on earth to use hand pulled rickshaws by men on foot. The rickshaws were introduced in the 19th century by Chinese traders and the British made it a legal form of transportation in 1919. Kolkata has about 6,000 licensed rickshaw operators, but at least as many operate without licenses. Most of the rickshaw pullers are originally from the neighboring state of Bihar and are economically very poor.