1.4 Hummil (Assistant Engineer)

*Not explicitly mentioned, however, London was the largest city in the world, and they likely came from this hub of economic prowess.*

An Assistant Engineer in British India was a junior officer in the Public Works Department (PWD), responsible for infrastructure projects that sustained the empire. Public Works Department (PWD): Established in the mid-19th century, the PWD oversaw construction of railways, canals, bridges, irrigation systems, and government buildings. The role of Assistant Engineers consists of supervising construction sites, surveying land, and managing Indian laborers.They reported to executive engineers and chief Engineers, but often worked independently in remote districts.Their work depended on Indian subordinates (overseers, draftsmen, laborers) whose contributions were essential but rarely acknowledged in official records. Assistant Engineers embodied the material side of the empire, building the roads, canals, and railways that enabled administration, trade, and military control.Their postings highlight the psychological and physical toll of the empire's long hours, isolation, and responsibility for vast projects with limited resources.