THE INDIAN TRADER

Sundah Singh & Nerhal Singh

Sundah Singh, an Indian merchant who travelled with his two horse covered wagon and threw lollies for the children as he passed the school– what an excitement! He travelled  to Gnowangerup via the Martinup Road.

Sundah had all sorts of things for sale, including clothing and household goods.

Their wagon was well stocked with blankets, dress lengths (such as gingham and shirting as well as canvas), cottons, towels, tea towels, table cloths, shoe laces, wool, needles, socks, trousers, tea, matches, soaps, pocketknives, tinware, working boots, writing materials and many other items.
 

SUNDAH SINGH WITH HIS WAGON                #1

The Pallinup school children would run to welcome Sundah’s wagon, and that is when he would throw wrapped sweets for them to gather up.

Other areas were serviced by Indian hawkers – Herman and Nerhal Singh are reported to have ‘travelled throughout the south-west area in a horse drawn covered wagon....warmly welcomed on the farms because of the wares they sold, the skins they bought, and because of their kindly nature. Their supplies came from a shop in Cranbrook owned by their brother Sundah Singh.

In her book “The Way it Was”, Joyce Shiner describes Rhan Singh’s visit to the Bakers Hill/Northam area in 1942, saying ‘it was his last tour. He had been forced off the roads by the mechanized army that replaced horse-drawn transport. He said there was no more room on the roads for a horse, and besides, he looked about ninety years old, so perhaps it was time for him to retire!’.
 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      Research by Merilyn Stewart

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2023