According to eminent historian Prof Muntasir Mamoon, the first horse carriage landed in Dhaka from Kolkata sometime during the 1860s. It was brought in by the Armenians who used to live in Dhaka at that time and played an important role in trade within Bengal.

"By the end of the 19th century horse drawn carriages became the main mode of transportation in Dhaka city. Following the British people, local Zamindars (landlords) and the elite started to use it," he said.

"There were various designs of such carriages available in Kolkata. In Dhaka, however, the Palki style became very popular. It had wooden covers in all the sides with windows resembling Palki. It was designed for six," he added.

The carriages had different names in different areas such as tomtom, tanga, jurigari or ekka. The driver of the horse carriage was known as the Kochwan or Sahis.

Renowned artist Rafiqunnabi lived in Narinda during his childhood. "I first saw a horse carriage at Fulbaria railway station the day my family arrived in Dhaka. It was 1953 when I was a student of class three," Rafiqunnabi said strolling down the memory lane.

"I wanted to sit beside the kochwan and my parents allowed me. It was a thrilling moment for me -- an exciting ride. As the horses galloped, I had an amazing view of the road and roadside houses, sitting in an elevated position," said Rafiqunnabi.

"People in those days used to hire them the way we hire rickshaws now for family trips to relatives' houses or other places. Women used it more than men. My sisters used it when they went to school basically for safety," he recalled.

Prof Mamoon said till 1950s horse drawn carriage was the main mode of transport in Dhaka. After that the city gradually became modern. With the arrival of motor vehicles, slow-moving horse drawn carts could not compete with them anymore.

With the passage of time the use of horse drawn carriages died out. Only a few of them are still operating in the old part of Dhaka carrying the century-old tradition.

Most of these carts are seen carrying passengers from Gulistan to Sadarghat. These are a modified version of the carriage of the past. Mostly young boys drive the carts. They said at present there are some 25-30 such carriages in old Dhaka.

Apart from its use as passenger carriers, the carts are rented for wedding or other social functions. Colourful carriage rallies organised during festivals still attract people. A cart can be hired for special occasion for around Tk 300 per hour.

Many people still prefer tomtoms for a ride from Sadarghat to Gulistan. The fare is Tk 10. These carts stop at English Road, Johnson Road and Nawabpur Road. Although designed for six, these vehicles are usually crammed with 10-12 persons.

"It takes the same amount of time for a rickshaw and a tomtom to reach Gulistan," said Abdul Hamid, a passenger. "Amidst the unbearable traffic jams in old Dhaka, every vehicle runs at the same speed. Often gentle breeze from the Buriganga passes through, which is absent inside the crowded local buses."

Talking to Star City, Gani Mia, who has been the kochwan of a horse drawn carriage for the last eight years, said he makes six or seven trips a day. He stays at the cart owners' place and takes care of the horses and the cart.

Gani Mia said daily income of the cart is around Tk 1200-1500 of which Tk 400 is spent on feeding the horses and his daily wage is Tk 150. Most horses are brought in from Bikrampur and Mymensingh and they can run till they are 12 years old.