‘Beneath Bureaucracy: Study of Subordinates (PWD, Pune)

This paper investigates the roles and contributions of lower-ranking personnel, particularly subordinates (overseers), on construction sites within the Public Works Department (PWD). Drawing from PWD archives and secondary literature, it aims to build a profile for these often-overlooked individuals, exploring their training, challenges, and significance. Employing a research framework to study and synthesize the experiences of these underrepresented figures within historical contexts. Focusing on Pune, the paper delves into job titles, linguistic requirements, and local material knowledge, highlighting their crucial roles in the construction sector well as within the PWD's bureaucratic framework.