The story behind Khurja pottery of Uttar Pradesh

By Aleena shelly

One of the first innovations made by humans was pottery. Khurja pottery, which dates back more than 500 years, is one of them. The beauty of Khurja pottery may be found in both the creation process and the end product. Khurja pottery is a form of Indian art that was created in this area and bears its name.

The patent rights in the ceramic creations of Khurja are safeguarded by the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). It is referred to as “Khurja pottery” in the GI Act 1999 of the Government of India, and the registration has been acknowledged by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks.

What is Khuja pottery?

Pottery made exclusively for the Indian city of Khurja is known as Khurja pottery. This type of pottery is renowned for its incorporation into Indian house décor as well as other applications. It is famous for both its sturdiness and aesthetic appeal.

History and where Khurja Pottery is made

The town of Khurja in Bulandshahr is where Khurja pottery is produced. This is where it all began, and now, thanks to the items’ popularity, they are made throughout the nation. Two historical occurrences can be used to trace the origins of Khuja pottery. First, about 500 years ago, Afghan King Taimur Lang imported khurja pottery from Egypt and Syria to India. According to the alternative theory, potters immigrated to the area (Khurja, India) and started the fashion that has since spread across the globe. The Mughal era, during Emperor Mohammad-bin-reign, is when Khurja stoneware was first created. 

In one of his articles, Baidyanath Saraswati stated that “Khurja in Bulandshahr is one of the oldest hubs for glazed pottery in India.” He writes, “These potters frequently identify themselves as Multani Kumhars, suggesting their origin in Multan.” Most of the items on Fabuliv don’t adhere to any particular style of ceramic ware; instead, they employ various materials, each with a design concept. The view of pottery held by Dwight Holland, as stated on Deneen Pottery, that “There has to be some brainpower involved, some intellectual curiosity, for a potter to be able to build a pot that has life and vitality” is also in line with this.

What is Khurja Pottery famous for?

Khurja pots come with certain advantages. Because they maintain the PH balance, guarantee that the food is free of acidity, and allow cooking with less oil while retaining the meal’s nutritional value, its clay pots are excellent for cooking food. All of the health benefits of meals cooked in clay pots are maintained by the delayed meal preparation method. Additionally, if the pool is properly seasoned, the food will be safe for a longer period of time. For the past three to four years, khurja pots have been in good condition.

Khurja Pottery Manufacturers

The most well-known pottery institute in the world is currently headquartered in Khurja and is called the Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute. The city is home to about 500 factories making Khurja artwork, including ceramic tiles, pots, vases, dinnerware, and other items. Others consist of;

  • DNF Ceramics: Manufacturer of Pots & Planter
  • Standard Ceramic Industry: Manufacturer of Pottery
  • Mark Industries
  • AMS Ceramics-Ceramic Product Manufacturer
  • Krishna Pottery Works

Everywhere around the world, people practice the craft of pottery. Khurja pottery is one distinctive type well-known worldwide for its beauty, toughness, and other qualities, making it appealing both aesthetically and functionally. The increasing number of requests and orders for this pottery, which can be traced back to Khuja in India, is evidence of this.

The Production Process

  • Getting the clay ready

All raw materials are combined in a specific ratio and ground in a ball mill for nearly 15 hours. The ration is kept a trade secret. To preserve only the necessary water content, the clay mixture is placed between the pan filter and a clay disc with a radius of 0.75 feet after being mixed consistently. It is the outcome of the procedure. Clay discs are repeatedly run through the Pug-mill machine for the pugging system to create the superfine clay combination. The Pug-Archimedes mill’s screw drives the clay in a straight upward motion. Liquid clay and solid clay are the two ways to obtain clay.

  • Process of clay moulding

Large items are created using the moulding process. Examples include pots, containers, and vessels. The mould for the thing is produced using POP, or plaster of parts. The clay is combined into a solution, so there are no lumps. The clay product is released into the mould cavity until the hole is inserted. The mould box is smoothly spun to remove air bubbles and keep only the necessary clay.

  • Process of smoothing and painting

Shrivelled products can only be polished using sandpaper to improve the exterior surface, which is considered a semi-finish. Ceramic pottery pictures come in two varieties: traditional art with motifs on the exterior finish and Mughal art (antiquity). Traditional Mughal artwork is painted using cobalt or Cb-blueish hue and a colourless lead glaze.

In contrast to traditional art, it entails applying motifs like floral or geometric patterns to Khurja ceramics.

  • Process of Glazing

On ceramic objects, a glossy finish called glazing is applied. Ceramics were strengthened, decorated, and weatherproofed using it. Many different finishes are available for glazes, including transparent and translucent. Three essential elements are used to produce glazes: glass forming, a melter, and a binder.

  • The firing procedure

This procedure happens in a covered kiln. An electric kiln with a temperature control facility is now used instead of a brick kiln, which is more convenient for the worker and causes fewer losses.

Khurja is a thriving example of how pottery as art has developed over time and has contributed to significant commerce. Modern advancements in techniques like the invention of the electric wheel and the electric kiln, the uptake of television and cable TV in the 1990s, and now social media have all contributed to this development.

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