Chawls were the multi-storeyed structures built and owned by private landlord such as merchants, bankers and building contractors. Each chawl was divided into smaller one-room tenements.
(i) No private toilets. Many families could reside at a time in a tenement.
(ii) People used to keep windows closed because of the close proximity to filthy putter, buffalo stables etc.
(iii) Due to water scarcity the people quarrelled every morning for a turn at the tap. Streets and neighbourhood areas were used for activities such as cooking, washing, sleeping.
(iv) ** shops and Akharas came up in empty spaces. Streets were used for leisure activities.
(v) Chawls were also a place for exchanging news about strikes, riots, demonstrations, etc.
