BHAR/KULHAR/KULHAD/SHIKORA

KULHAR
CLAY CUPS
A kulhar (Hindustani: कु हड़ or ‫ )ﮐﻠﮩﮍ‬or kulhad, sometimes called a shikora, is a traditional
handle-less clay cup from North India and Pakistan that is typically unpainted and unglazed, and
meant to be disposable. The most interesting feature of kulhar is not being painted and that
differentiates a kulhar from a terra-cotta cup. The kulhar cup is unglazed inside out.
[1] Since kulhars are made by firing in a kiln and are almost never reused, they are inherently
sterile and hygienic.[2] Bazaars and food stalls in the Indian subcontinent traditionally served
hot beverages, such as tea, in kuhlars, which suffused the beverage with an "earthy aroma" that
was often considered appealing. Yoghurt, hot milk with sugar as well as some regional desserts,
such as kulfi (traditional ice-cream), are also served in kulhars.[4] Kulhars have gradually given
way to polystyrene and coated paper cups, because the latter are lighter to carry in bulk and
cheaper.

Kulhars may have been in use in the region for the past 5,000 years, since the Indus Valley Civilization.
Since kulhars are unglazed, a hot drink such as tea partially soaks into the interior wall of
the kulhar in which it being served. This has an enhancing effect on the beverage's taste and
fragrance, which is sometimes described as "earthy" (स धी ख़ुशबू, ‫ﺳﻮﻧﺪﻫﯽ ﺧﺸﺒﻮ‬, sondhi
khushboo). Although kulhars have been losing ground to synthetic cups due to cost and efficiency
reasons, higher-end restaurants often serve kulhar-waali chai (tea in kulhars) to their customers

In 2004, the Indian Railways (then under the leadership of minister Laloo Prasad Yadav)

attempted to revive the use of kulhars for tea and other beverages sold on railway stations and
aboard trains.It was argued that this was more hygienic than plastic, and also more
environmentally friendly because kulhars are made exclusively of clay. It was also believed that,
since kulhars are manufactured by small rural kilns, this would assist in boosting rural
employment.