Tangewala

A Tangewala (also spelled Tonga Walla) is a Hindi-Urdu term referring to a person who drives or owns a tonga. A tonga is a light, horse-drawn carriage, typically used for transportation in South Asia, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Tangewala is responsible for the care of the horse, maintaining the carriage, and transporting passengers or goods from one location to another. Their livelihood is directly tied to the operation and maintenance of their tonga. The role of a Tangewala is often associated with traditional transportation methods and cultural heritage in the regions where tongas are prevalent. With the rise of motorized vehicles, the number of Tangewalas has declined in many areas, though they still exist in some cities and rural communities, sometimes catering to tourists or providing transportation in areas with limited road access.