Around the beginning of the Christian era, some important sanitational innovations were brought about in the Roman empire. In circa 200 BC, at a place known as Antoninus, there were 1600 holes on wooden planks for defecation. They were known as river-top toilets as the flowing stream underneath was sweeping away human wastes. Besides that, in Roman forums, toilets were also a socializing centre. Without any cover between two users, people sat together and while evacuating, they would gossip about politics and other local issues. There was a pitcher, full of water and stick with sponge on one end for post-defecation ablution. Earlier, during the Mauryan period in India, according to the Kautilyan Arthashastra, there was a committee in the corporation of Pataliputra to look after the city sanitation. There is a residential unit, excavated at Chirand near Hajipur, belonging to the Kushan period, having a toilet, soakpit and drainage. Around this period,viz 2nd century AD, the Devi Purana prescribed that the king should not go for defecation at a distance of more than an arrow throw. This indicates that even the king eased out in the open and the particular distance was meant to protect him in the eventuality of any enemy attack.
From the 5th to 15th century AD, the scene in the world was pathetic as people reverted to open defecation and hence this period is known as Dark Age of this field. In France, England, India etc, there was a new system. A slanting hole was made in the fort-wall through which the waste fell in a moat outside. In some forts of Rajasthan, even today one can see such toilets which were known as guardrobes in the West. With the arrival of the Muslims in India, inhouse toilets were made for their womenfolk as they observed veil system. But these were dry toilets which were serviced by scavengers. Even though there are some Sanskrit words including ‘spash’ and ‘shwapach’ used for such people, but professional scavenging castes came into being during the Mughal period only.
The first breakthrough came when an Elizabethan courtier, named John Harington invented the first modern flush toilet in 1596 AD. Since excreta is a dirt, people hated to talk about it. So even the people associated with this work were treated as untouchable. Even Harington himself was banished from the court for making a horrible object. Later on people realized that he had done a job and hence recalled and rehabilitated him and also awarded the title of Sir. The man could make only two pieces, one for himself and the second was installed in Queen’s bathroom in the Richmond palace. But this breathtaking technology could not catch public imagination and remained forgotten for 179 years. Meanwhile, in England one priest introduced earth toilet. In it, in place of water of a WC, loose earth or sand or ash was released which covered the dirt and did not permit the foul smell to pervade in the household. This earth closet remained in use till 1850. Even in London, till then, excreta was thrown into the Thames. In 1859, the Parliament session there was suspended for one day due to unbearable stink from the river. In mid 16th century, the French Emperor, Louis xiv, while doing business on his throne-like chamberpot, gave audience to the select people. Since tissue paper was not known till then, the people used leaves, pebbles, pages of books, newspapers, dirty linens and torn gowns pieces.
After Harington’s invention, Alexander Cummings applied for the first patent for improvement. He provided ‘S’ type contraption, which allowed some water in the pan always, checking stink to backfire. After that pioneers like Bramha, Hellyer, Jennings, Doulton, Thomas Crapper and several others applied for patents and gave toilet the shape as well as user friendliness as in our bathroom today. At the present juncture, when there is paucity of potable water, even the WC is proving a liability and outdated. As such, there is a worldwide hectic search for water-free toilets. The American INCINOLET is an electric toilet which burns excreta within seconds. One more piece is being marketed by South Africa in which sun-ray is exploited to burn the human waste and so it is named Solar Toilet. But the society needs some more dependable and cheap devices which could lessen pressure on fresh water.
The toilet, as discussed above has been with man since the dawn of civilization. But since then, it is a facility available only to the privileged classes. The idea is to make it available for the mass. The UNDP has given a call, “Toilet for all”. We understand that the western WC is septic tank and sewer based which is so costly that the poor countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America cannot afford. In this situation, the two-pit-pour-flush toilet based on Sulabh technology is proving very useful. They are suitable for all regions, take comparatively less water per flush, suit every pocket, is culturally acceptable and approved by the WHO. Technology is there, the problem is to cultivate awareness. There are some interesting examples of brides deserting there ‘sasural’ having no provision for toilet. Tomorrow young girls may refuse to be married in such families.
‘One index of advancing civilization is the importance that is now being attached to the installation of bathrooms’ ( quoted from the catalogue of M/S Shanks, London, 1920). Our first P.M. Pt Nehru had said that he would treat India to be on the pinnacle of civilization on the day when every Indian will have access to clean toilets.
(concluded)
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