palanquins

A palanquin is a form of portable shelter or litter used to carry a person from place to place. It consists of a enclosed or semi-enclosed cabin mounted on a frame with long poles, which are shouldered by bearers to transport the passenger. The design typically includes a canopy, curtains or lattice sides, and sometimes windows or decorative elements; materials range from wood and bamboo to lacquered finishes and textiles.

Historically, palanquins were widely used in parts of Asia, including the Indian subcontinent and East and Southeast Asia, and they appeared in various ceremonial and elite contexts. They were favored for royal or noble processions, religious festivals, and other formal occasions, providing a private and conspicuously luxurious means of transport. In many regions the bearer team consisted of four, six, or more attendants depending on the weight and local customs. The term palanquin is often associated with the Indian subcontinent, where variants such as palki or dolly appear in local languages.

With the growth of road networks, railways, and motor vehicles, the use of palanquins declined in everyday life during the modern era. Today they survive mainly in ceremonial, tourist, or cultural contexts, where they are exhibited in museums or used in traditional processions and performances. Palanquins continue to symbolize historical modes of courtly transport and the blending of craft, culture, and mobility in Asia.