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[Painting courtesy: Mr. Dhiraj Pradhan]
KALO BHARI
Kalo Bhari means black load in Nepali language. The arms and ammunition which
the British used to supply to Tibet were required to be carried by labourers. The Kazis
and Thikadars who used to be awarded the contract for transportation of these
goods used to employ local people, who were required to carry the loads on
meagre wages.
In order to protect the goods from rain and snow, they used to be bedaubed with
black tar. The carriers also used to be tarnished with black colour while carrying the
load. Thus, the name kalo-bhari.
Many poor peasants suffered under the exploitation of kalo-bhari.
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