In Colonial India, locals in Himalayas and Punjab region had used inflated bullock skins as boat service to carry passengers across rivers. A short thread on this unusual yet amazing transport medium. (1/7)
The technique of using inflated animal skins as a floating raft has been practised for centuries across cultures, from Babylon to China. India too adopted this brilliant ancient technique. (2/7)
The skin from the animal is taken in one piece and all orifices in the skin are closed except in one leg which is kept open for inflation. Then the boatman inflates the skin through that opening in the leg by blowing from his mouth. (3/7) 
The skins have been made air-tight and inflated with air just as we inflate a floating device. As many of these skins are desired are fastened together by poles so that the ferry boat can be made any size. (4/7)
Charpoys can be erected on top of the inflated skins to provide comfortable rides to passengers. The boatman would keep paddling the stream with his limbs steering it in the right direction and keep blowing air during the journey. (5/7)
The boats made of inflated animal skins would also be known locally as ‘drea’ or ‘mussuck’. The force of the stream would push these one-of-a-kind boats to their desired destination. (6/7)
Source: India Through the Stereoscope, by Underwood and Underwood. The British occupation of India in colour, Documentary Warehouse. (7/7)
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