Coolies on the docks

This black-and-white photograph by G.R. Lambert & Co. depicts coolies of South Asian descent resting at one of the docks in Singapore, which would have been one of the major sites of work for those who came to work as harbour workers. The ubiquitous lamp post in the background also points to this scene being shot around the late 19th century, when gas lamps started to be introduced in Singapore.

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