Crafts of Amroha
1) Earthenware
This is a very famous ancient craft of Amroha. The vessels are
made from smooth clay called _Gwal Chana_. This clay is dug from the beds of
ponds. It is very fine and light, with a blackish tint, and becomes even more
refined after firing. This is the primary craft of the _Kulal_. They make
various kinds of items, and women do the polishing and decorative work on them.
The author of _Aftab Numa_ writes about it.[potters]
2) Bakchha Charpoys
The _Bakchha_ charpoy was also an old craft of Amroha. The makers
still exist, but those who commission them are gone. In one royal decree of
Muhammad Shah Badshah, he asked Mir Yaqub, during his inspection tour from
Moradabad to Amroha, to send mango preserves and pickles along with a _charpai_
of Bakchha Kalal.
3) Rath and Bahli [Bullock carts]
The craft of making _rath_ and _bahli_ also exists here from old
times. The carpenters here have been engaged for generations in making carts
and carriages. And truly, they make them very well. They take them to far-off
fairs and sell them. Although in recent times new inventions of conveyance have
greatly affected this craft, it has still not completely disappeared.
4) Dholak and Pattiyan
Good _dholaks_ and _pattiyan_ [wooden boards/frames] are also made
in Amroha and sent far and wide. Mango wood is used in making them.
5) Carpet Weaving
In this craft in Amroha, there was Sadiq Ali, who learned the
craft from weavers of Mirzapur in Bikaner and introduced it in Amroha. Very
beautiful and inexpensive carpets are made here. They are specially prepared
for that purpose. Gaddi women spin the wool for them.
6) Amroha’s Boat-shaped Caps
About 25 years ago, the work of silk and _kalabatun_ [gold/silver thread] on boat-shaped caps was a flourishing craft in Amroha. The livelihood of many, especially widowed women, depended on this work. Since new fashions of Turkish and Iranian caps came out, this craft too has declined.
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