Writing paper manufacturing in British Garhwal

  British Administration in Garhwal   -199

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -219

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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1052

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

     

 Writing paper manufacturing was important craft in British Garhwal. The writing paper was called as Pahari Kagaz. People used Setbadva plant epidermis for making writing paper. People first used to take by scratching the outer layer of bark and then used take out soft pulp from the plant. The pulp was usually boiled and then was kept in cold water. Then paper making worker used to thrash that wet pulp and used to make wet dough. Then pulp was sieved and coarse material was taken out through cloth. Cloth was spread on a wide wood plate and then dough was spread on cloth. Then another cloth was spread over pulp. Then it was pressed by another heavy wood plate. By pressing, the pulp used to became even everywhere. Then upper plate and cloth ws taken out and pulp on cloth was drieed under sun. It used to be light black white. People used this paper for writing and making craft paper. In Nepla, half ripped wheat was crushed in milk and was mixed with paper pulp for making shiny and white paper.

    The major paper manufacturers were on upper part of west Nayar River (Dhaijyula and Choprakot of Kandarsyun Patti).  A few Harijans of Pindar Patti also manufactured paper.

References  

1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 343-456

2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts Vol.2

3-Moorcrft et all, Travels in Hindustan Vol 1 page 9-56

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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India,bjkukreti@gmail.com 18/10/2017 History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -1053

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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter

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

 History of British Garhwal, History of Devalgarh Garhwal; History of Badhan Garhwal; History of Barasyun Garhwal; History of Chandpur Garhwal; History of Chaundkot Garhwal; History of  Gangasalan Garhwal;  History of Mallasalan Garhwal;  History ofTallasaln Garhwal; History of Dashauli Garhwal; History of Nagpur Garhwal; Sociity  in British Garhwal. History of British Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith in Chamoli Garhwal, History of Social Structure and Religious Faith of Pauri Garhwal ,  Social and Culture History of Rudraprayag Garhwal