Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era

Administration, Social and Cultural Characteristics History of Garhwal in Shah Dynasty -16 

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -205      

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -453 

                        By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

                            Wooden Utensils

    The wood utensils were more in use than mud and metal utensils in Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era. Geenthi /Ginthi (Boehmeria regulosa) trunk was very useful in making utensils as Mana-Patha (volume measuring vessels); Baroli, Parothi , Dakhuli, Vessels for milk, curd  and Ghee; Parya for churning curd; Kundi (sdeep dish)and Payala (flatter and bigger plate) , parat for taking food. Pilgrims used to buy wood utensils from Kalifat, Maikhunda.

               Metal Utensils and Appliances  

  Every Metal was precious as gold. Jaspur (Malla Dhanu , Pauri Garhwal) ; was famous for iron smith and metal smith up to Tehri and Shrinagar specially Big Dibla (Vessel). Shrinagar and Almora were famous for copper Gagar. The metal weapons were made near Shringar. In most of the villages, metal smiths used to produce agro appliances and house hold appliances.

                          Mud Utensils and Stone Utensils

 Mud and Stone utensils were made in most of the region. Earthen lamps, Hisar (roasting vessel); Handi, karudi, Baroli, Batakh (water vessel); Ghada (Pitcher) Daula (big vessel for keeping water) were common mud utensils. Payalu was main stone utensil.

  It is said that Kukretis of Jaspur ( Malla Dhangu, Pauri Garhwal) invited people from Shrinagar side and established them in Hatnud –Kuthar (Dahngu, Pauri Garhwal). Hathnud –Kuthar used to supply Mud utensils to south Garhwal especially Ganga Salan.

 Kanda Ganv of Aswalsyun was another village famous for Mud utensil production. The saying was that ‘Kanda ku jalu jaik dauli (vessel) futalu’. Ujyadi (Gagwadsyun, Shrinagar); Kainnur and Pajyana (Lobha); Pajyana (Sili Chandpur) were other centers for producing mud utensils.

                     Bamboo Appliances

     People used Bamboo vessels for storing grains and pusles etc. These were called Dabla, kandi, Solta, narela, pathodi, Chadbi, Dulni, Dolni, Baskets etc. The craftsman of bamboo appliances was called Rudiya. Rudiya also made different types of mat from bamboo, Ringal. Umbrella was also made by bamboo. Comb was made by bamboo.

                                Hill or Himalayan Paper

                            Paper was made from Satpuda or Set tree bark or birch bark. The paper was durable as leather. The court used to use this paper for record keeping. Garhwal paper had very high demand in Tibet and north Indian plains. People of Upraili valley, Chpdakot, Pindar valley , Dhaijyula region used make Garhwali paper.

                                 Wooden Craft

  Wooden craft was highly developed. The craftsmen used to make door and its accessories, artful statutes, temple roof,. The Tibari ( hall)  was also had artful wood work on its pillars and doors.  Old temples of Uttarakhand especially Uttarkashi are best examples of highly developed wood crafts in Uttarakhand.

 Haridwar was also a major buying centers of Garhwal crafts to the pilgrims.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com10/10/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -454

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal from 1223-1804 to be continued in next chapter ….

                

Notes on South Asian Modern Period  History of Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Pauri Garhwal; South Asian  Modern Period  History of Chamoli Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rudraprayag Garhwal;  South Asian Modern  History of Tehri Garhwal; South Asian Modern  History of Uttarkashi Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Dehradun, Garhwal;  Modern  History of Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Manglaur, Haridwar;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rurkee Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Bahadarpur Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period  History of Haridwar district, History of Characteristics of Garhwal Kings Shah dynasty ,  to be continued

Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era; Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era in context Uttarkashi Garhwal History; Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era in context Tehri Garhwal History; Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era in context Rudraprayag Garhwal History; Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era in context Chamoli Garhwal History; Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era in context Pauri Garhwal History; Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era in context Haridwar Garhwal History; Utensils and other Crafts of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Era in context Dehradun Garhwal History;