Ghulam Rassul Galwan – Servant of Sahibs (1923)

Rassul was a Ladakhi man of Balti & Kashmiri origins who worked at the service of several European and American travellers on their journeys across the High Asia. In his autobiography, Servants of Sahibs (second picture) first published in 1923, he narrates a few of these journeys with Dr Trall (Leh-Kashmir), Captain Younghusband (Leh-Yarkand in 1890), Lord Dunmore & Major Roche (Leh-Yarkand-Pamirs-Kashmir in 1892), Mr PW Church & Mr EL Phelps (Leh-Yarkand-Mustagh Pass + turn back) and in great length the journey of Mr & Mrs Littledale and their nephew Mr Fletcher in 1895 (Kashgar-Yarkand-Khotan-Cherchen-Akka Tagh-Gagalinchin-Tengri Nor-Goring pass and valley- turning back just 2 days from Lhassa, and subsequently reaching Ladakh and then Kashmir from Tengri Nor lake on a west journey through Tibet, reaching Ladakh from Rudok & Chushul villages).

Rassul’s work and personality seemed to have been highly appreciated by his employers. It is at the suggestion of one of these Sahibs, Mr Robert Barrett, that he decided to undertake the task of writing this autobiography in what Rassul refers to as ‘broken English’, Mr Barrett having taught him English during their 1905 journey from Leh to Khotan.

Probably my favorite quote of Rassul is:

« I was very much tired, but I was ashamed to show to sahibs the tired face. I showed the good face, and said to other men in Ladakhi language: ‘This day is among all the days of journey a courage making day. If a man go tired in such work, that man is without bravery. Singing time is this.’ »

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