Professional Documents
Culture Documents
28 (N)
1,000
SELECTED CRAFTS OF
GUJARAT
R. K. TRIVEDI
Superintendent of Census Operations, Gujarat
"" : i; :
, \
SUPERVISION U. D. VORA, M. A.
~esearch ()~cer
PHOTOGRAPHER K. D. VAISHNAV, B. A.
Photographer
MAPS L. S. SHRIM~i-
DrajtsrfltflJ'
FOREWORD IX-XII
PREFACE XIII-XV
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY 1- 3
CHAPTER II HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGATE
INDUSTRY IN THE PAST 4- 6
10th to 15th Century-16th Century-18th Century-19th Cen-
tury and after
III
UST OF TABLES
TABLE PAGES
IV
LIST OF APPENDICES
ApPENDIX PAGES
ANNEXURES
ANNEXURE SCHEDULES
I Village Schedule 73- 77
II Household Schedule 78- 84
III Family Schedule (For practising Artisan families) 85-105
v
ILLUSTRATIONS
VI
LIST OF PLATES
PAGES
PLATE NOTES BETWEEN PAGES 33-34
PLATE 34-35
I Agate Mining, Ratanpor
II An Adivasi quarry worker at Ratanpor
III 1 Sunheating agate stones on a terrace
2 Bhalsal Method-Baking in cement built trenches
IV 1 Handla Method-Baking in pots placed in trenches
2 Sorting stones for re-baking
V Cutting buffalo horn for making horn-headed hammer
VI 1 Chipping the stone with horn-headed hammer
2 Shaping the stone with nail-shaped hammer for round
beads
VII 1 Hammering the edge of iron spike
2 Sharpening the edge of iron spike on Porbandar stone
3 Smoothing the edge of horn-headed hammer
VIII 1 A polisher on hand-operated emery wheel
2 Hand-made polishing discs, earthen water bowl and
bow with string
IX 1 Rough Polishing of round beads on Porbandar stone
2 Fixing round beads between wooden clamps
3 Indenting grooves on Porbandar stone
X Polishing in barrels
XI 1 A driller at work
2 Moments of Relaxation
XII Farmhouse-cum-workshop of an agriculturist driller
XIII Physical deformity on a driller's wrist and underneath his
knee caused by constant pressure against cocoanut shell
XIV Mechanical Unit in Operation
1 Stone-cutting
2 Hollowing
XV 1 Drilling
2 Polishing in a drum
XVI Acquatics and birds made of agate ready for polishing
XVII Artistic agate worked at Cambay in the past (Coloured plate)
XVIII Pieces of Cambay Agates Exhibited at the Victoria and
Albert Museum, Bombay
1 Buttons, stationery and other articles made or agate
2 Agate spoon
XIX An idol of Lord Krishna; a toy for an infant; a spoon and a
cigarette holder made of agate
XX 1 Natural formations in agate pieceiliof various shapes
2 Phases of the Moon
XXI 1 Necklaces of agate
2 Steamer, Light house, Crescent, bangle and bangle box
presented to H. M. Queen Elizabeth and H. R. H. the
Duke of Edinborough during their visit to India in 1961
VII
FOREWORD
One of the major steps by means of which a pattern of self-sufficiency upon village commu-
a developing economy seeks to sustain its growth nities. The pattern of capital-labour ratio obtaining
is a rapid expansion of the internal market to in traditional agriculture imposes itself automati-
absorb increases in production. A second step is cally upon the complementary world of handicrafts
to diversify the range of products that will yet and by effectively shutting out rapid improvements
restrain within manipulable limits the spiralling of in technique ensures the products against disastrous
rising expectations. One of the fields which demands slumps or extinction. In such a situation and
immediate attention is traditional handicrafts. The on account of the fact that the sector itself is
glow of local and national pride, of interest in labour intensive, contributes substantially to the
one's own traditions and a variety of emotional national income and causes minimum problems
attitudes and preferences are invoked in aid of of dislocation, the promotion of handicrafts and
these basic aims. Nor are the aids themselves, expansion of their markets acquires an important
even though they make a virtue of necessity, to place in development plans.
be scorned as adventitious. The products, mostly One of the first steps to be taken by the First
handmade and rooted in the traditions of a nation's Plan was the establishment of six Boards for the
culture and economy, are often sources of the promotion of handicrafts, village and small industri-
deepest satisfaction in everyday life. Apart from es: (I) The Khadi and Village Indus tries Board;
the question of its value as a social or ethical (2) The All-India Handicrafts Board; (3) The All-
investment, opinion on which may differ, the India Handloom Board; (4) The Central Silk
resuscitation of these aids becomes all the more Board; (5) The Coir Board; and (6) The Small
imperative in the preparatory stages of a developing Industries Board.
economy (though not perhaps when these stages The rapid expansion of the activities of these
are traversed) on account of the fact that the Boards which concentrated not only on production
tools employed are often timeworn and rudimentary, and techniques, but also on organisation, extension,
the pools of skill narrow, highly specialized and credit, marketing, and export, consolidated and
hereditary, being limited to certain communities enlarged the position that the household industries
or castes and not infrequently to a few families, seclor had so long enjoyed in the nation's economic
and the capital labour ratio associated with these life. It was this fact that forced itself upon the
products is favourable to a large population base preparations for the 1961 Census and demanded
experiencing large absolute increments which that household industry should be separately
build up large reservoirs of underemployed and investigated for a proper accounting of the nation's
therefore cheap labour. Further, the transformation manpower, resources and its specific contribution
of traditional skill to modern skill either encoun- to the national income. The 1961 Census there-
ters a series of insurmountable difficulties or de- fore asked a special series of questions on house-
mands a degree of capital outlay quite beyond the hold industry, input of family and hired labour,
means of a developing nation which has to con- and the periods over which household industry
centrate more on goods that will prod{1ce goods is conducted. It was felt, however, that an
rather than produce the goods themselves. enumeration of the total number of establishments
There are other objective imperatives, which and their industrial classification would be in-
demand a sustained programme of support and complete without a proper description of what
expansion of the handicraft sector in a developing they produce and how they produce. It was
economy. Agriculture is still the mainstay and important to make an assessment of the
labour far from the desirable degree of mobility. limits of rigidity within which traditional
The inadequate transport and communication skill operates. This could be obtained by
network discourages exchange of goods and imposes studying the caste, occupational, social and
IX
economic stratifications, the limitations of credit pioneer venture, nothing like it having been
and marketing facilities, the dominance of custom undertaken since the 1880's, it was decided to move
over contract, the persistence of traditional tools towards a build-up by stages, to let the inquiry
and design forms, the physical limitations of unfold itself only as fast as my colleagues chose
transport, communication and mobility, the inabi- to ask for more.
lity to adopt new lines or adapt to changing Thus, in the first circular of 18 February
circumstances. It was important also to make 1960, it was suggested that the inquiry might be
an assessment of the limits of flexibility that conducted through the agency of the Development
traditional skill is capable of, because the transfor- Department, the State Director of Industries, the
mation of traditional skills to modern skills is Director of Tribal Welfare, the Registrar of
easier said than done and a thorough study may Cooperative Societies, and other organisations COn-
well reveal that it is perhaps cheaper from the cerned with the promotion of household industry.
social point of view to develop industrial skills A draft questionnaire containing 30 questions in
from scratch than to try to graft traditional skill three parts was recommended for canvassing. It
on alien soil. A rather tragic case of failure to was suggested that information on this question-
make what would on the face of it seem a minor naire, village by village and area by area,
adjustment cast its heavy shadow on the nation might either be obtained through the regular
when it was discovered that goldsmiths used to departmental channels of the State Government,
working on 22-carat gold all their lives felt sadly or through the newly set up Census organisation,
helpless when asked to work on l4-carat, so or through the hierarchy of the newly-created
narrow and unadaptable were the limits of their Panchayats. Stress was laid on the need ,of photo.
skill and proficiency and so rudimentary the tools graphic documentation and illustration of designs,
and equipment with which they and their fore- shapes and forms not only by photographs but
fathers had worked. This fiscal accident revealed with the help of line drawings Or sketches together
that tools are even more important than skills. with a full description of the materials used.
An early opportunity was taken in February Almost the whole of 1960 and the first half
1960 to suggest to State Census Superinten- of 1961 were spent in organising and taking the
dents, that the Census provided a unique census count, although several States even
opportunity for conducting and documenting a during this period had not allowed the grass to
survey of this kind. As such a survey was quite grow under their feet but made exploratory
outside the usual terms of reference of Census work studies and decided in their minds how the inquiry
it was thought prudent cautiously to feel one's way should be organised. A series of regional confer-
with the thin end of the wedge of what would, ences held in Tri vancirum, Daljeeling and Srinagar
it was hoped, prove to be an exciting pursuit. It in May and June 1961 revealed much enthusiasm
was therefore considered the wiser course to wait among State Superintendents to proceed with the
until the State Census Offices felt so interested that survey, but the need of separate staff and equip-
they would no longer take the inquiry as an ment was felt at the same time as th<realization
imposition but rather want to do it on their own dawned that this was much too serious an inquiry
and ask for the necessary staff and equipment. to be treated casually and left to be achieved
This office, too, in its turn, could make use of through the usual administrative channels.
the interval to organise and elaborate the design This and a review of the work of village
of inquiry in order to feed the appetite that work surveys set the signal for the setting up of a
in progress would serve to whet. Because it was a Social Studies Division in September 1961 at the
labour of love, sought to be unobtrusively thrust on Registrar General's Office, manned by qualified
one's colleagues and because the inquiry itself was research and investigating officers, technical
so vast that normally it would demand in any persons, photographers, artists, draughtsmen and
country as big a set-up, if separately established, as other trained personnel, headed by Dr. B. K.
the Census organisation itself and that over a Roy Burman, Officer on Special Duty and assisted
much longer period, and because it was almost a in an honorary capacity by Mrs. Ruth Reeves
x
who had come by invitation from the All India dependence and the prevalence of the jajmani
Handicrafts Board as early as 1960. Simultane- system. The second part was devoted to artisan
ously State Census Superintendents were permitted communities in the village : the several castes of
to augment their staff according to their artisans, the number of families in each, the total
req uiremen t. number of workers, males and females, the extent
This was followed by rapid progress in of cooperative activity among them, the extent of
coordination between the Central and State dependence upon employers and of wage or con-
Census Offices in the matter of exchange and tract labour. There were questions on the raw
processing of information, documentation and materials used, the means of their procurement,
investigation, of assisting each other with trained the possible extent of dependence on others for
investigators and in editing and finalizing drafts, raw materials, the extent of the material that
layouts, presentations. In the meantime the Social artisans Can handle within the limits of their skill.
Studies Division was able to organise and conduct There were other questions on the exchange and
a large number of central inquiries with the flow of designs, the use of colours, the ancientness
help of elaborately designed schedules, collect a of the craft and legends a~sociated, the coloniza-
considerable amount of research and library tion of the craftsman, on patrons and customers
material with many thousands of cross classified and on social and economic contact with the
index cards, a classified photographic library of world inside and outside the village. There were
about 15,000 accessions which grows daily, with specific questions on the workshop itself and
similar complementary material in all State offices. particularly the tools and the source of supply
Mention has been made of a questionnaire of these tools, because it was felt that tools decide
in three parts and thirty questions. The idea everything and are the surest index of inertness
was to make a beginning with empirical, analy- or flexibility. Separate blocks of questions were
tical studies based on a structured questionnaire designed to bring out the ramifications of artisan
which would replace general descriptive accounts castes throughout the country and the ways they
that had obtained so far. The primary aim was sustained themselves, the type of clientele they
to obtain a picture as much of the artisan himself catered for, the extent to which they operated
as of his craft, to obtain a perspective of the on money or barter or service, how specialized
artisan and his craft in his social and economic their craft was, how wide the market, how depen-
setting, the extent to which tradition bound him dent they were on their socially preordained
and the winds of change ruffled him, the extent clientele and how restricted the latter was by the
of his mobility and immobility, the conditions seemingly unalterable laws of social custom; the
of market, credit, new contacts and designs in extent to which they could operate in the open
which he operated, the frame of new as well as market, the range of their wares and the sizes
traditional producer-customer relationships in to which these were ordinarily restricted either by
which he still worked, and how far he was ready the limits of their own skill or the length of their
to pierce his own caste-tribe socio-economic cocoon customers' purse strings. Inquiries were to be
and make a break through to new opportunities made about the operation of middlemen and of
promised by the Five Year Plans. The aim was cooperative societies, the people who gave new
to hold up the mirror to hereditary skills strug- designs and demanded new products. Finally
gling with the dialectics of tradition and change. the several stages of production of the articles
Thus the first part of the questionnaire, pur- themselves were to be fully described including
porting to be a village schedule, sought to take the final and finishing stage and a list of very
account of the size and population of the village, skilled craftsmen of each community was to be
its remoteness from or proximity to centres of furnished. The third part was devoted specially
trade and commerce, in short, the degree of to tribal communities and designed to find out
isolation in which the artisan worked, and the how self-sufficient or dependent they were On the
relative strengths of various communities in the production and supply of manufactured goods,
village which would afford clues to social inter- the extent to which they produced themselves or
XI
depended on others, their contacts with other schedule. In some cases Census Superintendents
communities and the specific forms of production felt enthused enough to scrap the work based on
and commerce through which these contacts were the original short schedule and do it over again
maintained. on the enlarged schedule. In the meantime much
Particular emphasis was laid on the need of experience was gained on the analysis of facts and
obtaining as full an account as possible of unique figures to clothe each observation with plenty of
regional design differentiations as they reflect not authentic information so that the reader could
only the very culture patterns of the country but make his own judgment instead of being expected
the persistent inventive faculties of the craftsmen. to see all the time through another pair of eyes.
The importance was emphasised of giving full This programme of survey of handicrafts and
attention to articles of domestic use as it is in their household industries has been fortified by several an-
shapes, designs and forms that the culture patterns cilkuy surveys, each one of which would deserve
and traditional skills persist most tenaciously. major attention. Along with the survey a compila-
Simultaneously with the investigation of spe· tion has been made of all handicraft centres in many
cific crafts, State Superintendents proceeded to States and an inventory prepared of skilled crafts-
compile a comprehensive list of an types of handi- men. Photographic and other documentation has
crafts obtaining in their State. As for the specific been built up to constitute what may now be
crafts to be investigated several tables were devised regarded as the most considerable repository in
from the structured questionnaire in order to the country. Elaborate and accurate maps of
guide investigators toward pointed observation craft centres in taluks, tehsils and districts are
and analysis, to enable them to write, not just either ready or under preparation. A full cenSUS
general descriptions, but with their eye On the of all fairs and festivals, weekly hats and markets,
object and on facts. throughout India, has been taken and is being
Investigations conducted bctween Scptembcr published for the first time. Andhra Pradesh has
1961 and May 1962, including a study group of embarked upon a project of chronicling the social
all States and the Social Studies Division in and religious antiquity and uniqueness of every
December 1961 at Delhi, mutually stimulated the fair and festival. A separate volume will be
Social Studies Division and many of the States devoted to each district which promises to be of
into going in for a much enlarged schedule. The the utmost value to sociologists and orientalists.
revised village schedule itself, the counterpart of Full statisties will be available in each district hand-
the first part of the February 1960 schedule, book by each village of units of Traditional and
contained 19 large sections containing elaborate Modern Crafts and the number of workers engag-
and probing questions. The Family Schedule ed in each arranged according to the minor
for practising artisan families similarly contained groups of the Standard Industrial Classification.
19 main qnestions each subdivided into many A full and complete inventory, replete with ske-
questions. The Family Schedule for non-practising tches and measurements of every object, has been
artisan families contained 21 questions. There were prepared of exhibits in museums of tribal crafts
schedules for the study of cooperative societies, in India. There has been a fairly satisfactory
of production-cum-training centres, and of con- survey of houses and buildings, indigenous archi-
sumer's preference. This enlarged schedule of tectural designs and use of local building material
investigation, in the formulation of which the of the whole country. All this has been entirely
States themselves actively assisted, was greatly a labour of love, patiently organised and executed
welcomed. The surveys that will appear in this under great stliain and in disregard of health and
series will therefore consist of two main types: comfort, for which I take this opportunity of
(a) those based on the original short schedule expressing my appreciation and grateful thanks
and (b) those based on the much enlarged to my colleagues.
Handicrafts playa very important role in the that while the villagewise inquiry might be con fin-
economy of regions which are yet under-developed . ed to collecting information regarding the number
and are on their way to industrialisation. Their of artisans and the articles produced, the family-
importance is still greater in a country like India wise inquiry in the prescribed schedule was to be
where agriculture and handicrafts go hand in conducted only in respect of the main household
hand. It was this consideration which led the industries and handicrafts and at selected centres
Registrar General to introduce special questions where they were plied. The familywise schedule
on household industry in the Household (Annexure II) was then devised in consultation
Schedule and on establishments and workshops with the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, and the
in the House List in order to obtain a frame for Director, Social Welfare, and the more important
all types of industries in the country. Since the handicrafts and centres, to which the survey was to
data thus obtained are purely statistical, it was be extended listed out. The agency for the survey
thought that the picture presented would be was to be drawn from the staff of the Block Level
incomplete without a proper description of what Extension Officers and the staff of the Registrar,
they produce and how they produce. A compre- Cooperative Societies, working in the district.
hensive survey of a descriptive nature was, therefore, This plan was finally discussed in a meeting held
proposed to be undertaken in connection with with the then Minister for Rural Development
the Census of 1961. A draft questionnaire in Department, Shri Ratubhai Adani, who was kind
the form of Village Schedule reproduced as enough to arrange for the issue of necessary instruc-
Annexure I was framed by the Registrar General, tions to all concerned to give the fullest cooperation
India, and circulated to all the Superintendents in this and other special studies conducted by the
of Census Operations for the purpose of obtaining Census. Training classes were then organised at
information on the handicrafts of the State, village suitable centres and necessary training imparted
by village and area by area. to the workers by the Research Officer of the
Census Organisation and the Assistant Director,
Gujarat has a rich heritage of household indu- Small Industries. Detailed instructions for filling
stries and crafts which have thrived since ages. up the Village and Household Schedules were
The proposed survey offered a unique opportunity also drawn and circulated.
of collecting detailed and useful information on
the various handicrafts worked in the State, an op- During the course of further exploratory
portunity too tempting to be ignored. Preliminary studies made at the various Conferences and
discussions were, therefore, held with the Registrar, Seminars of Superintendents of Census Operations,
Cooperative Societies, who was also the Director, the work done was reviewed from time to time
Small Industries, and the Director, Social Welfare, and ways and means to perfect the survey were
with a view to chalk out a definite line of action, examined. It may not be necessary to repeat
agency to be utilised and the Schedule to be here what the Registrar General has already
canvassed for the purpose. Discussion on the stated in the Foreword as to how this survey
various items of the questionnaire of the Village gradually unfolded itself till the final shape was
Schedule revealed that the organisation of a given to it at the Study Camp held at New
familywise survey of all handicrafts and household Delhi between 20th and 23rd December 1961.
industries conducted in every village, would be Revised schedules (Annexure III) were framed to
rather unwieldy, as the requisite personnel well- cover various aspects of the investigation which
trained to undertake this task would not be it was decided should be carried out by investi-
available. The matter was, therefore, referred to gators and research assistants specially appointed
the Re~istrar General for advice. He suggested for this work.
XIII
As already seen above, the sUNey was 9. Wood carving
ultimately decided to be tackled into two parts,
viz., (1) a villagewise statistical survey of all 10. Pottery
household industries with special emphasis on
rural arts and crafts, and (2) a detailed survey Since the field work according to the origi-
of selected industries important for their artistic nal household schedule had already commenced
or special appeal. As for the first Part, the long before the revised schedules were received
Registrar General suggested as an alternative that from the Officer on Special Duty, it was decided
this part of the survey might be replaced by that in view of the important nature of the
tabulating the information on household industries, investigation a supplementary questionnaire should
arts and crafts obtainable in columns 4 to 8 of be framed and such of the particular as well as
the House List, according to a codified list of general information as could be collected by on-
common household industries as laid down in the-spot study should also be gathered to make
the National Standard Industrial Classification. the survey as comprehensive as possible.
This special tabulation has already been carried The present monograph, viz., the Agate
out from the House Lists and the tables giving Industry of Cambay, is one of the handicrafts
data by village, taluka and district, have been which has been earmarked for special study by
compiled for reproduction in the District Census the Superintendent. It attempts to give an idea
Handbook for each district. The second part of of the various aspects of this handicraft, which
the work relates to the survey of selected indus- has thrived in India since ages, known to Gujarat
tries to be carried out at selected centres by since ancient times and prospered at Cambay for
trained investigators by canvassing the village and over five centuries. Maps, photographs, line-
household schedules specially devised for the drawings and coloured plates, given in this mono-
purpose, so as to cover not only the techno- graph will, it is hoped, prove useful in giving a
economic aspect of the craft but the social and realistic idea of the various processes involved in
cultural aspect as well. It was emphasised that this industry at different stages of production,
the crafts selected need not be those only which location of raw material, finished products, etc.
had artistic appeal but some of the basic handi- A map illustrating the important handicrafts of
crafts should also find a place in the survey along Gujarat and the notable centres where they are
with those known for their artistic value. Thirty- worked has also been prepared for inclusion in
one handicrafts as listed in Appendix I have thus the volume on handicrafts. In the preparation of
been surveyed at as many as 103 selected centres this map, we have been fortunate in having·
in the State. Of these crafts, the following are the expert guidance of Mrs. Ruth Reeves and
proposed to be undertaken for special study by the services of Shri Somalal Shah, the celebrated
the Superintendent of Census Operations himself:- artist of Gujarat now working with the Census
organisation.
L Agate industry of Cambay
The swrvey itself has been of such a nature
2. Jari industry of Surat that all the material that it has been possible to
gather would not have been collected, had it not
3. Silk-weaving of Surat
been for the willing cooperation of all those
connected with the industry-the Karkhanedars,
4. Tied and Dyed Bandhani of J arnnagar
the artisans and others, who had to be contacted
5. Lacquer work at Sankheda personally more than once, so that the data
obtained were authentic. My grateful thanks are
6. Block printing at Jetpur due to Shri J.G. Shah, Secretary to Govt.,
7. Patara making at Bhavnagar Health and Industries Department and
Shri V. R. Mehta, Registrar, Cooperative
B. Embroidery and bead work Societies, for the sincere help and cooperation
XIV
given by them from time to time in the conduct Mitra, Registrar General, India, have always been
of the Handicrafts Survey. I must also express illuminating giving fresh line of approach, treat-
my thanks to Dr. Roy Burman, Officer on Spe- ment and presentation of the material of special
cial Duty, for going through the Monograph studies. This monograph has also had the benefit
and making some useful suggestions. of his advice, for which I am deeply grateful.
Discussions and consultations with Shri Asok
AHMEDABAD, R. K. TRIVEDI,
March 5, 1964 Superintendent oj Census Operations,
Gujarat.
xv
AGATE INDUSTRY OF CAMBAY
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY
1.1 Stone has been the greatest benefactor their body. Some of the precious stones rank as
of mankind in all ages-pre-historic and historic. rare and valuable pieces of gems which would
It has furnished a more stable and permanent cost a fortune. Some of them prized and sought
building material for shelter and protection against for even by emperors have become a fruitful
adverse climatic conditions and the commonest and source of many a plunder and invasion known to
handiest of means to adorn human body. The history.
uses to which it has been put are diverse. The
rich and the poor alike have made use of it 1.2 Stones, man has used not only for their
according to their purse. The primitive as well ornamental value but also for their medicinal
as the modern, all have had equal fancy for properties and supernatural powers with which
stone and used it either as building material, they are credited. Effect of stones on health,
implements of hunting, articles of domestic use relief they are believed to give against certain
or ornaments. While ordinary stones besmeared diseases and poisonous bites, their powers as
with turmeric were bestowed with divinity and talisman for good or evil, and their influence
worshipped as Gods by the primitive man, the civi- over the destiny of an individual according to the
lised man transformed them into idols of exquisite planets they symbolise, have made different kinds
beauty, grace, and expression and installed them of stones favourite with mankind for different
into massive and extensive temples, the abode of reasons. Man's attraction for various kinds of
Gods, perfect in design and construction. Some stones has thus varied from time to time according
of these have given to the world great masterpieces to the stages of development of human culture,
of art which any nation would be proud to and civilisation and economic condition of society
possess. While the primitive man found his first as revealed by the use of ordinary, semi.precious
dwelling in cave not infrequently adorned by and precious stones. But it is semi-precious stones
paintings in the crudest form, the skill and wealth which alone have satisfied man's fancy for
of the civilised man transformed them into cave ornaments at all times and of all strata of society,
temples like Ellora and Ajanta embellished with high or low, tribal or civilised. It is one of such
sculptures and wall paintings of unsurpassing stones which forms the subject matter of this
beauty of outline, colour and composition. This Monograph, the Agates of Cambay.
is the story of ordinary stones. But there are
other varieties of stones as well, precious and 1.3 Akik or agate is the general term applied
semi-precious, for which mankind has had unique to different varieties of carnelians, and includes
fascination all the world over. It has in all different forms of chalcedonic silica found either
ages devised means to embellish itself by material underground in mines, in beds of rivers or on
easily available from its immediate surroundings. hill slopes. Different varieties of agates are known
Next to leaves and flowers, the handiest and the by different names differing in colour and lusture.
cheapest material available to adorn human body But it is the particular variety of carnelian known
has been stone turned into beads of various sizes, as Akik deep red or brownish red in colour which
shapes, and designs. The high and the low, the is greatly prized and highly popular. In India,
rich or poor, the primitive or the most civilised the Akik industry has been in existence since
of man and even the Gods he adores and worships antiquity. In Gujarat, it finds mention from the
have had equal glamour for this material to adorn beginning of the Christian era by a number of
A-I
2 CHAPTER I-INTRODUCTORY
foreign travellers who came to India at different Bombay and/or Calcutta now do. It was also
periods. Evidence is also not wanting to show at Cam bay that literature, art, arch itectllre and
that agate was known and in use in Gujarat even various industries of the time developed and
in pre-historic times, as has been conclusively flourished. Dr. Balkrishna in his "Commercial
proved by the finds of agate beads during the Relations between India and England (1601 to
excavations at Lothal, some 46 miles from 1775)" pages 30 to 40, refers to Cambay in the
Ahmedabad, where civilisation akin to that at following terms:-
Mohanjodaro and Harappa prospered some 4,000
years back. " CAMBA Y has been called the 'Indian
Cairo'. In modern terminology, it can appro-
1.4 The fortunes of Akik industry in India priately be styled the 'Indian Manchester' being
seem to have been linked with the rise and fall the commercial centre of Gujarat, the Lancashire
of different places that grew into importance as of India. From Ptolemy onward all travellers
seaports or centres of maritime trade at different have attested its great wealth, magnificence, and
periods of history, For, waterways were the flourishing trade. This port being one of the
principal routes of communications and trade greatest and richest of all the coast towns of India,
within and outside the country before the present merchants resorted to it from all quarters of the
, rail routes came into being. In Gujarat various world. It was the home and nursery of all that
places came into prominence as centres of trade was best in India. The workmanship of its
and commerce at one time or another according inhabitants in weaving and dyeing, in embroidery
to their importance as seaport. At one time it as well as curious works of art, made of wood,
was Broach, at another time it was Vallabhi and metal, ivory, amber, horns of sea-horses, and
at still another time Surat or Cambay. It was various kinds of stones was the wonder of the
again at Cambay that Akik industry reached the world. There were found all kinds of cotton and
pinnacle of prosperity and survived till present silk manufactures, perfumes, innumerable things of
times despite depression and competition to which ivory, beautiful woodwork of all kinds, bedsteads
it was later subjected. of all colours, works of art made of coral, as
well as agates, carnelians, onyxes, and other
Cambayl
precious stones, delicate cushions, quilted clothes,
Population 51, 291. 25.;0 19' N., 7Z o 37' E. canopies of delicate workmanship, beautiful pain-'
1.5 Popularly called Khambhat, Cambay is tings, shields made of tortoise shells which were
a seaport situated at the head of the gulf named '~rought and inlaid, very workmanlike,' fair signets,
after it. Its population according to the Census rings, buttons, handles of knives, and beads of
of 1961 is 51,291. At presen t it is the head- white-as-milk stone which were sold in all parts
quarters of a taluka, and the terminus of the of the world ".
Anand-Cambay broad guage section of the
Western Railway, 32 miles from Anand. It is 1.7 But Cambay began to decline in the
also connected by State Transport buses with early 17th century, when the only articles of export
large towns like Baroda, Ahmedabad, Nadiad, which remained out of a large variety of items of
etc. foreign trade was cotton and silk textiles. Causes
for the decline of Cambay were many. Apart
1.6 Various travellers, geographers and mer- from the silting of the head of the gulf, noticed
chants, who visited this country in the past have as early as the 16th century, the competition
described Cambay as one of the greatest and from European companies-Portuguese, Dutch,
richest cities of India, a position which it retained British and the weakness of the Muslim rulers as
till the beginning of the 17th century. As an im- a naval power and European supremacy of the
portant centre of maritime activity on the Western sea were to a great extent responsible for the
Coast of India, it enjoyed the same position that downfall of Cambay and the diversion of its
1 Vide Appendix I for a detailed history of Cambay
MARITIME TRADE OF CAMBAY
, maritime trade to places like Diu, Goa and Surat. industries that now survive are the handicrafts of
The blow that further hit Cambay the hardest cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious
was the construction of B. B. & C. I. Railway stones like rubies and sapphires, the unmatched
in 1863 from Bombay to Ahmedabad. It sealed art of working on Akik (Agate stones) and weav-
all sea and land trade that formerly passed through ing on handloo:ms and power looms. But Cambay
this town and seaport for over five to six cen! has come suddenly into prominence in present
turies. At present Cambay port has lost all its times when it "Yas placed on the oil map of India
former glory, because it is not possible for large by the recent find of petroleum and natural gas. It
vessels to reach the harbour which has been seems Cambay is still destined to playa role in the
silted up. It is now a minor port handling only industrial development of the country and Gujarat
about 225 tons of goods annually. The only not less important than what it did in the past.
CHAPTER II
mSTORICAL BACKGROUND, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGATE
INDUSTRY IN THE PAST
2.1 The records of foreign travellers who visi- Vallabhi which later came to be known as Vala
ted India and references made by them to the aga- near Bhavnagar and now renamed ValIabhipur,
te industry furnish a very useful and valuable source was one of the important seaports and capital
of evidence about the existence and development of Gujarat, also famous those days for agate as
of this craft in different parts of the country. Cambay was later. But with the fall and destruc-
Famous since the dawn of history and known even tion of VaIlabhi in the ninth century, no details
in pre-historic times, agate industry has existed about the agate industry of Gujarat are available
in India and Gujarat since olden times and shifted during the period that followed till the beginning
its field of operation from one centre to another of the 15th century.
till it ultimately settled and flourished at Cambay.
10TH TO 15TH CENTURY
2.2 It is said that the Akik Hill in Rajpipla 2.3 After the fall of the Vallabhi dynasty
is the same as that described in the Van Parva of in the ninth century, there is no mention of agate
the Mahabharat as 'Vaidurya Parvat'l or the industry till the 15th century, when it got itself esta-
mountain of agate, Vaidurya being the Sanskrit blished in Cam bay which had then come into prom-
equivalent of Akik. The earliest recorded reference inence as a port of international trade. The Arabian
to agate deposits and agate industry in this country travellers who visited this country in the 10th and
is by Herodotus2 (484-B.C.) according to whom II th centuries while describing it as a good port
certain types of agates, viz., sard and onyx were po- make no mention about the agate industry of
pular with the Romans and brought by them from Cambay. Marco Polos in the 13th century also
India for making finger rings. The existence of does not record the existence of this industry at
agate mines at Ratanpor in Rajpipla, a princely Cambay. A passing reference is, however, made
State of that name till Independence now in the to it by travellers in the 15th century who do
Broach District of Gujarat was known to the not describe it even then as an important industry
historian Pliny 3 as ea.rly as 77 A. D. who recorded of that place. The absence of any reference to
that Babylonians were very fond of rings of Cambay in the past was but natural, as Akik
Indian agates which also possessed certain medi- industry assumed importance in Cambay at a
cinal properties. Some believe that the Agate later stage during the rule of the Sultans of
Hill referred to in his writings by Ptolemy,4 the Gujarat when it reached the zenith of prosperity,
famous Greek astronomer in the second century and replaced Broach and Vallabhi where it pros·
was probably the Ratanpor Hill of Rajpipla. pered before the rise and growth of Cambay.
The statement gets further support from the fact For, the main market of agate being outside India,
that the existing mining area was known in olden it was not only essential for the finished products
times also as Pathar Kshetra or Akik Kshetra, to be brought to a convenient marketing centre
i.e., land of agates. Before the emergence of on sea, but also for the development of the industry
Cambay the places which find mention as centres to be located near some port, to facilitate its
of agate industry are Plithan or Paithan, Jubbul- export. It was equally necessary also that the
pore and Ujjain in Malwa. In the sixth century, raw material required was close to the place of
as stated in the Bombay Gazetteer (Part I p. 78) its manufacture. Small wonder that the vicinity of
1 Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency, Vol. VI, (1880), p. 205 Ind. Alt. I. 180
2 Ibid., below p. 205, Lassen's Ind. Alt. II 562
3 Ibid., p. 205 Bostock's Pliny, VI, 440
4 Ibid., p. 198
1) Ibid., p. 206
SIXTEENTH CENTURY
5
port or the availability of raw material in the cant by the name of Bawa Ghor who started an
neighbourhood at Rajpipla made places like Valla- Akik factory at Nimodra (Limodra) near Rajpipla
bhi, Broach, Surat and Cambay important centres where raw material was available in plenty. But
of trade in agate industry. for the export of finished products to the African
Coast he had to resort to a seaport which could
16TH CENTURY be none other than Cambay, where the Abyssinian
merchant seems to have started lucrative business
2.4 Towards the end of the 15th and middle of in agates under the supervision of his brother
the 16th century, Cambay occupied a very favour- Bawa Abbas. The next and the most natural
able and important position as an international step was the opening of a branch or shifting the
port on the Gulf of Cambay because of its cen- establishment from Nimodra to Cambay where.
tral location as regards the hinterland of India. the artisans got a ready welcome and encourage-
It was the seaport where merchandise from diffe- men~. This inference finds support from the
rent parts of the country were brought for export Portuguese traveller Barbosa3 in 1514 who wrote
to the countries of the Middle East, Arabia, that at the ports of Arabia and Africa, there was
China, Europe and Africa. Apart from its im- a prosperous trade of Akik articles of Cambay
portance as an emporium of trade, it was a very and Ghors were one of the chief articles of
prosperous centre of industry where a variety of import. It is because of this that some varieties
articles were manufactured and sold, patronised of agates are even today styled 'Bawa Ghori' as
by its Hindu and Muslim nobles. During the they were popularised by Bawa Ghor. Export
Solanki period when it grew in political importance trade in Akik got a further fillip from the fact
and power, a navy was stationed at Cambay to that Cambay had then become a principal port
guard the! sea frontiers of Gujarat. After the of embarkation by Haj pilgrims to Mecca.
decline of the Mogul kingdom, even the Portuguese
and British thought fit to have their factories 2.5 The Meccai gate which exists even today
and warehouses at Cambay which was then the facing the sea-shore in the south of Cambay town,
principal seaport on the Western Coast. Being a with the well-known Jumma Masjid in the back-
flourishing and chief centre of trade and commerce ground was so named because the Muslims going
all the goods that passed through the port of on pilgrimage to Mecca by sea passed through
Cambay came to be popularly known as Cambay this gate. 4 They carried with them agate beads
goods. This prosperity of the town naturally gave which were highly valued as articles of sanctity.
impetus to the growth of a number of industries It is said that the Emperor of Delhi with his
which also included working in Akik and other mother had passed through this gate while going
semi-precious and precious stones. Varthema 1 in to Mecca. Prior to his departure the ships carry-
1503-8 A. D. refers to Albik or Akik Hill about ing raw materials from Jhagadia were captured
seventy miles away from Cambay. In the begin- by the soldiers of the Emperor, but the Governor
ning of the seventeenth century (1611) many Akik Vastupal with his talented and diplomatic approach
craftsmen of Cambay were staying at Goa, where retrieved the ships and paid homage to the
they had their own locality and shops. Forty Emperor of Delhi by presenting him an ornamental
years later (1651), Tavernierl also writes of arch made of agate.
Cambay as a place where agate cups were
hollowed. The real clue however to the firm 18TH CENTURY
establishment of the industry at Cambay is had
from the reference made to an Abyssinian mendi- 2.6 During the eighteenth century agate trade
1 Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency, Vol. VI (1880), p.206, Badger's Varthema, 107
2 Ibid., p. 207, Tavernier in Harris II, 353, Ind. Alt. I
3 Ibid., p. 206, Stanley's Barbosa 5,27,31, Ind. Alt. I
4 Today the sea-shore has shifted to a distance of about 4 miles from this gate, on account of constant siltini by
mud and sand from the Mahi and Sabarmati rivers.
6 CHAPTER II-HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF AGATE INDUSTRY
has been referred to as one of the most important and continued its importance till the 18th during
of Cambay industries. Hamilton l (1700-1720) which period the Cambay lapidary turned his
mentions among articles made at Cambay, stones artistic talent to the best advantage in the mak-
for signets and rings, some of them 'worth double ing of a large variety of agate articles of UllSur-
their weight in gold', cabinets of agate in some passing beauty.
cases fifteen inches long and eight or nine deep
19TH CENTURY AND AFTER
worth £ 30 to 40, bowls and spoons of several
sizes, handles of swords, daggers and knives, 2.7 During the 19th century, the agate trade
buttons and stones set in snuff-boxes of great fluctuated but did not decline appreciably. Agate
value. Tieffenthaler2 (1750) and the author of articles worth Rs. 70,000 were produced towards
Mirat-i-Ahmedi (1748-62) mention Ratanpor and the end of this period. With the passage of time
Kapadvanj agates worked into vases, plates, and change in consumer habits and competition
saucers, rings, necklaces, cups, handles for knives from other countries, the industry seems to have
and daggers and sold at Cambay and Surat and suffered a set-hack in the twentieth century
exported from Surat. Towards the close of the due to the decline of Cambay as an important
same century, Forbes 3 (1783) found agate manu- centre of trade and industry, diversion of trade
factures a valuable part of Cambay trade. These channels with the 'opening of rail route from
references made by the various foreign travellers, Bombay to Ahmedabad, and increasing competi~
go to show that the agate industry reached the tion from cheap synthetic stones manufactured by
pinnacle of prosperity during the 16th century Germany.
1 Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency, Vol. VI (1880), p. 207, New account I. pp. 140, 14!i
2 Ibid., p. 207, Res. Hist. et Geog. De, 1, Inde, I, pp. 390-392
3 Ibid., p. 207, Or. Mem. II 20
CHAPTER III
OCCURRENCE AND SOURCES OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF AGATE STONES
3.1 The term agate seems to have derived thyst, onyx, etc., disseminated either in single
its name from the river 'Achates' in Sicily now or in multiple combination. These impurities
known as the Acate or DiriIlo, well-known in early often give rise to banded effects, the individual
times for its agates. The word Achates is again bands being due to different layers formed by the
a derivative of the Arabic Akik, meaning a river deposition of silica in cavities. Sometimes the
bed. It is thus Arabic in origin. impurities give rise to a cloudy appearance. A
variety of agate which fetches high prices is the
3.2 It is the commercial aspect of agate well-known moss agate in which the impurities
industry which has been mainly referred to in the are distributed in moss-like or dendritic forms.
writings of the foreign travellers ar-d other records. "The principal material of these semi-precious
Geological investigations bearing on the subject, stones is obtained from the amygdaloidal basalts
however, commenced with Copland in 1819, follow- of the Deccan, where various kinds of chalcedonic
ed by Lush in 1836 and Fulljames in 1852 when silica have filled up, by infiltration, the steam-
the occurrence of nummulities in Rajpipla was holes or cavities of the lavas. The chief place
first made known. During 1862-63 W. T. Bland- which supplied raw Akik is Ratanpor in the
ford carried out a detailed survey of Rajpipla Rajpipla State, where rolled pebbles of these amy-
Sta te and neighbouring territories and published gdules are contained in a tertiary conglomerate."2
his classical memoirs on the geology of Western
India. Thirty years later, P. N. Bose, carried 3.4 About the geological formation, Blandford
()ut a survey of the geology and mineral resources has noted that "secondary minerals of various kinds,
of Rajpipla. In 1943 M. R. Sahni, who was which have been formed since the consolidation
deputed by the Geological Survey of India to of the volcanic strata, are found in the greatest
investigate certain aspects of the agate industry abundance in some of the flows, especially in the
had prepared a comprehensive note on "Agates amygdaloidal, and in some of the more earthy
and Other Forms of Chalcedonic Silica: Their and decomposed traps. These minerals not only
Origin, Distribution and Economic Possibilities". form the nodules of the amygdaloid, but they are
All these sources have proved immensely useful found lining cracks and hollows, the finest crystals
in the study of the geology of agates. being always in geodes or cavities, some of which
are as much as two or three feet across, and even
(i) OCCURRENCE
larger hollows lined with crystals are said to have
3.3 The agate and the carnelian generically been found. The commonest minerals are quartz
_belong to the Chalcedonic group of Quartzose (either crystalline Qr in the form of agate, blood-
minerals. Blandford defines agate as "a variegated stone, jasper, etc.) and stilbite, next in abundance
form of silica, banded with different colours or with are apophyUite, heulandite, scolecite (Poonahlite),
opaque and translucent layers alternating. It is laumonite and calcite; thomsonite, epistilbite,
commonly found lining cavities in basalt Rnd other prehnite and chabasite also occur, but they are
volcanic rocks."ICoveted for their ornamental value rare.
agates are a composite mineral which contains 70
to 96 per cent of silica with various proportions of The agates occur chiefly in geodes or
alumina coloured by oxide of iron or manganese. nodules, large and small; many are finely banded,
It is a composite mineral consisting of chalcedony and, after being coloured by heating, are cut into
with subsidiary flint, carnelian, jasper. ame- ornaments. Jasper and heliotrope or blood-stone
1 Blandford: A Manual of the Geology of India, p. 737
2 Wadia; Geology of India; 3rd Edition p. 492
7
CHAPTER III-DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF AGATE STONES
8
occur chiefly in flat plates, which appear to have Carnelian :-a clear, deep red or brownish red
been formed in cracks, and agate is sometimes form of chalcedonic silica
met with of apparently similar origin."! Chalcedony:-a transparent or translucent stone
with the Iusture of wax
3.5 About the occurrence of agates, it is obse· Chrysoprase :-chalcedony of apple green colour,
rved: "Agates occur as rolled pebbles in conglome- the colour being due to nickel oxide
rates and gravels of probable Miocene age. These Plasma:-of emerald green colour, either
occur not only in the Rajpipla area where the form- translucent or semi-translucent
ation attains a considerable thickness, but also Blood-stone :-similar to above, but with jasper
on a smaller scale in the area further to the west, disseminated in spots, which look like
between the mouths of the rivers Tapti and the drops of blood
Narmada. These agates are mostly derived from Onyx :-an agate with straight, even banding
the trap in the cavities of which they were origi- Sardonyx :-similar to onyx, but possesses layers
nally formed by secondary deposition of colloidal of varying colours-red (sard)-white
silica. The weathering of trap sets free the agates (onyx) rarely black
and other amygdales composed of cryptocrystalline Jasper :-opaque chalcedonic silica
silica, which subsequently became rounded by the Agate :-same as above but with distinct bands
action of water, and concentrated in the form of Flint :-grey, brown and usually dull ,coloured
conglomerates and gravels. It must, however, be silica
pointed out that while agate pebbles are common Chert :-similar to flint, but more impure
in the conglomerates, only the ferruginous portions Horn-stone :-a more brittle form of flint
yield stones of value. It is equally certain that Basanite or touchstone :-a dark jasper.like form
it is the ferruginous character of the bed which of chalcedony3
imparts colour to the agates upon exposure to sun (ii) SOURCE OF SUPPLY
and subsequent heating. Pebbles from other hori-
(a) General
zons are not amenable to similar treatment. It is
also said that the quality of stones improves 3.8 Though Gujarat enjoys the pride of place
with depth though there is no particular reason as a centre of agate industry, it appears to have
why this should be so. thrived at one time or another at various other
places as well in this country. Places which find
3.6 While the agate pebbles normally occur as mention in foreign writings are either seaports
conglome'rates and gravels, they can also be picked or towns which were great centres of trade in
up in large quantities in the fields, in river beds the past. But all of them were not necessarily the
and on the hill slopes,; but they are in all these places where agates were worked or found, though
cases the results of disintegration of deposits of some of them did enjoy the reputation of being
which originally they were components. Smaller the places of agate manufacture. Sources of Indian
pebbles in particular can be gathered in fairly agates have been many. Rajpipla, however, is
large numbers from stream beds and from the the only place which has retained throughout its
cultivated fields, so that it is not always necessary unique position as an importan t centre of agate
to break up the hard conglomerates for separating supply despite the fact that it has long since
the rolled agate pebbles, which can thus be collect- ceased to be a centre of agate manufacture.
ed at low cost."2 Among the localities in the vicinity of which
agate can be picked up from the cultivated fields
3.7 The various forms of cryptocrystalline are Ratanpor and a number of other villages in
silica which commonly go under the name of Jhagadia Taluka. Of the river beds where the
agate are described by S::hni as agates occur in large numbers are the Karad
I Blandford: A Manual of the Geology of India, p. 260
2 Sahni, Agates and Other Forms of Chalcedonic Silica, Their Origin, Distribution, etc., (with particular reference to
RajpipJa State) Geological Survey of India II (4) October, 48
3 Ibid.
SOURCES OF AGATES WORK.ED AT CAMBAY 9
which runs almost north in this area, the Kaveri United States where many new sources of supply
in the western part of Rajpipla and the Amravati have been discovered in Oregon, California,
south of Limet. Another stream which passes Washington and Montana which supplement
near Amod also yields agate pebbles in the course the older known localities in the Lake Superior
downstream of the agate area drained by it and District.!
the same is true of the banks of these streams, (b) Sources of Agates worked at Cambay
but there are no conglomerates. Besides Rajpipla, 3.11 Agates worked at Cambay are of two
other places where agates are found in Gujarat kinds-(i) those found in different parts of Gujarat
are Ranpur, Mahedpur, Tankara in Saurashtra, within a radius of about 120 miles and (ii) miscel-
Kutch and the river Majam, near Kapadvanj in laneous foreign stones. Within the first category
Kaira District. come agate proper or carnelian which is dull
3.9 Outside Gujarat, while Kurula in Gul- brown or yellow in raw form but becomes fleshy
berg has been referred to by the Russian traveller red when worked upon.
Althanesius Nikolis (1468-74) along with Ujjain 3.12 Important varieties of agate stones, their
in Malwa, Plithana probably Paithan on the distinguishing features, colour, quality, etc., worked
Godavari has been referred to by Neobold who at Cambay will now be examined in some detail.
has recorded that carnelian Mocha stone and
RAJ PIP LA CARNELIANS
moss agates are found in the Krishna, Godavari
and Bhima. Other places which find mentioned 3.13 Of various types of agates available from
are Jubbulpore in the Central Provinces now different trap beds, carnelian is the most common
Madhya Pradesh and Banda in the United Pro- found within Rajpipla limits which is the principal
vinces or Uttar Pradesh besides Rajmahal Hills and major source of raw material required for
in Bihar and Bamanghatu Sub-division of the this industry at Cam bay on the left bank of the
former Mayurbhanj State. Its continued existence Narmada about 29 miles from Broach. The best
in Gujarat as an important industry has, however, types of carnelian are available from Ratanpor or
been noted by numerous travellers from different 'Bawa Ghori' Hill in Rajpipla, the place from where
parts of the world. Akik industry in Gujarat was they are extracted being known as 'Ratankhadi'
first started at Limodra or Nimodra in Rajpipla and the stones as 'Bawa Ghori'. In its natural
and its finished products were exported outside state, carnelian is of a fleshy dull cloudy brown
India from Broach or Vallabhi according as one or or yellow colour and is known as 'Gar' in Gujarati
the other assumed importance as a seaport and and 'Akik' when worked up. Rajpipla Akik has
flourishing centre of trade. But Cambay came three main types, namely, (i) 'mora' or Bawa
into the picture at a much later date, towards Ghori, (ii) eat's eye known as 'chashmedar' or Dola
the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th and (iii) yellow, half clear pebble known as Rori
century when it was coming into prominence as or Lasaniyo. All these stones are of different weights
an important trading centres of the world, a and seldom weigh more than one pound. Except
position which even the Portuguese and the East these three varieties, all pebbles retain their natural
India Company had to recognise by opening colour and do not require any heat treatment. To
factories and warehouses at Cambay. Of all the Rajpipla agates numerous local names have been
various places linked with Akik industry in Gujarat, applied but those in common use in order of
Cam bay alone has had the unique distinction of their quality are selan, madhyam, tukri, asli and
being associated with this industry for over five malai.
centuries, where it has preserved its importance 3.14 Rajpipla, however, is not the only area
even today inspite of competition of foreign mar- where a plentiful supply of agate pebbles is found
kets and absence of encouragement which it used in Gujarat. Being derived from trap beds, agates
to have in former times. and other allied forms are also found in many
3.10 Outside India, agate is found in Brazil, other places where trap flows occur, though
Uruguay, the Canal Zone, and in the Western perhaps on a smaller scale. They are:-
The Encyclopedia Americana, Vol. I, (1829), pp.232-33
A-2
10 CHAPTER III-DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF AGATE STONES
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OTHER STONES WORKED AT CAMBAY 11
. for a period of 20 years has been secured on pay- beds in Persia and Bukharo. Being soft and
ment of an yearly dead rent of Rs. 9,150/- to the earthy it does not take very high polish. Another
State Government. On account of their isolated variety known as Kala phatak, i.e., jet or black
situation in desert areas, the tract surrounding in colour also came via Bombay from the hills of
the mining area is inundated with water after the Bassra and Aden, which takes a very high polish,
rains set in and cut off from all means of com- because it is not very heavy. Trade in jet stones
munications which limit the mining operations to at Cambay does not exist any more. The blue
six months in a year. On an average 30 to 50 stone worked at Cambay is not real Piroja but a
persons are engaged by the company for mining composition imported from China. Blue in ap-
purposes to raise a quantity of 200 to 300 tons pearance, it takes a good polish. In addition to
of stone. Agate, Chalcedony, and Jasper stones are these varieties of ordinary and semi· precious stones
available from these mines which are worked upto worked in Cambay, precious stones of different
the depth 5 to 30 feet. Compared to Jhagadia types such as panna (emerald), pokhraj (topaz),
stones weighing ~ to 2 Ibs., Kutch stones are some- manek (ruby), etc., are brought to this place for
what larger in size and weigh 4 to 6 Ibs. cutting and polishing. These processes are also
carried on at places like Bombay, Madras, Delhi
(c) Other Stones worked at Gambay and Jaipur but it is the Cambay artisans, who
excel in this work because of the traditional skill
3.22 It is interesting to note that the agates they have acquired in giving certain angular effe-
or other varieties known under the name of Akik cts in cutting and fine polish. Synthetic stones even
are not the only stones which the artisans of though imported from foreign countries through
Cam bay worked upon. There were many more Bombay are processed at Cambay on an appreci-
varieties as well which were imported from various able scale. They are fashioned into various shapes in
places inside and outside the country. The latter which agates are done, and set into necklaces,
included Ceylon, China, Bassra, etc. Lapis-lazuli armlets, wristlets, earrings and rings which are
or azure stone, Rajavart, is deep blue or brown with more attractive than agates because of the large
sprinkling of silvery or golden spots which came variety of choice they offer in the selection of
to Cambay through Bombay, found in the river shades and colours.
CHAPTER IV
TECHNIQUE OF PRODUCTION
4.1 Every craft be it the making of ordinary with carnelian. The mine shafts are about four
earthenware or a valuable piece of jewellery has feet in diameter and about 13 to 15 feet deep.
to pass through various stages of production At the foot of each shaft, galleries branch off into
whereby the raw material is processed by the different directions, and in many cases join the
application of different techniques and tools. The galleries of other mines. Labourers work in the
various techniques and processes which have been mines with a small iron pickaxe, a few bamboo
so far evolved in the making of agate articles baskets and a thick rope. Every labourer
have undergone quite a few changes in spite of works in turn. The number of baskets a person
advance in scientific methods, as it is believed should fill was decided in advance. The basket
there is very little scope for mechanisation except from the mine was drawn up by a rude roller, or
in a few operations, viz., smoothing the surface pulley supported by four uprights. But the mining
and polishing which are recently undertaken with now in vogue is different. Nowadays they work in
the help of electric motor. Even these operations small groups scattered over a large area. (Plates
have been mechanised only during the last 10 to I and II) At the mine mouth, the stones
15 years. are chipped and classified into three grades, the
best one known as 'Tukdi', medium type known as
4.2 Raw stones have to pass through six di. 'Gar' and the lowest quality as 'Khadya'. The
fferent stages of work before they are processed into average daily output per day for a person work-
finished products. The various processes which ing for 8 to 10 hours ranges from ten to forty
are in vogue since time immemorial are given pounds in weight. The stones thus sorted were
below under the following heads : in former times moved by country craft. These
vessels were all coasting craft, chiefly 'batelas.'
(i) Mining (ii) Sun-heating and firing (iii) For, only small vessels or barks went up to Cam-
Cutting and shaping (iv) Roughing and bay, as navigation at the head of the Gulf was
smoothing (v) Polishing and (vi) Drilling not only difficult but also dangerous. But stones
are nowada ys carried by truck or rail from
(i) MINING Jhagadia or Rajpipla to Cambay. The Akikias
or the agate dealers who are also the Karkhane-
4.3 The main source of supply of raw materi- dars purchase them from the mining contractor
als required for·working this industry at Cambay is or from the cooperative society of which they
the agate mines comprised in the former Rajpipla are members and store them in godowns in
State in Jhagadia taluka of Broach district. This gunny bags.
area is situated on the left bank of the Narmada,
about 14 miles above Broach. The mines are (ii) SUN HEATING ANit FIRING
located on the slope of the hill known as Ratan-
por Hill. also known as Bawa Ghori or Bawa 4.5 After the stones and pebbles are bought
Abbas Hill. from mines or river beds generally in the months of
March and April, they are spread and exposed to
4.4 Before the agate bearing stratum is rea- the sun on the terrace or corrugated iron sheets on
ched, the bore holes pass through a bed of gravel, the house rooffor a period of I! to 2 months, as the
with red and yellow ochre below whereunder stones dug ou t from the underground are dam p and
fuller's earth and red ochre occur; after a thin retain some portion of water in them. (Plate III)
$eam of iron-bearing rock comes the clay mixed The direct heat of the sun dries out the internal
SUN HEATING AND FIRING 13
wetness of the stones. Without the actual heat natural colour and turned yellow or black are
treatment of the sun, the stones get cracked into baked again. (Plate IV. 2)
pieces while working on them and the material
gets wasted. If the stones are directly baked with 4.8 In the first method the stones are
the help of fire which is the next process, the baked gradually and quickly in the second. Proper
watery vapours will come out and the stones heating of stones by sun is very essential in the
will get cracked. This process of giving direct latter method. In both the processes, heat is
sun heat treatment cannot be undertaken during to be applied evenly. By greater heat in the first
the monsoon when the outer atmosphere is damp. method, there is some wastage, whereas many ston-
After the stones are dried and free from damp es get white by greater heat in the second. The
they are baked to bring out the natural colour and stones change their colours gradually in the former
softness of the stones and prepare them for fur- method, while transformation of colour into red
ther processing. The process of firing is somewhat is very quick in the latter. On the whole, the
similar to that followed by potters for heating Bhalsal or the trench method is preferred to
earthenwares. The two methods which are followed Handla or pot trench method as the material is
are locally known as 'Bhalsal' and 'Handla': properly baked according to requirement, the
wastage is less than in the second where heat is
(a) Bhalsal
greater. Repeated baking is the key of bringing
4.6 In this method, a trench two feet deep and out the real colour of agate. This is resorted to
three feet wide is dug in a dry ground or field. even after polishing, if necessary. The tempera-
Some now have trenches built of bricks and cement. ture at which this change takes place is between
0
About an inch or one and a half of ash layer is 300 to 450 C. With too low a temperature,
0
spread at the bottom. The stones heated in the the stone becomes salmon coloured (pinkish orange)
sun are placed on this layer of ash and covered and in case the heat is excessive, the colour is
with alternate layers of ash on which goat and lost entirely. Green stones contain iron oxide and
cowdung cakes, pieces of charcoal and saw dust yellow ones have iron hydrate. After baking, among
are spread. Three or four such layers are arranged brown stones, the light tint brightens into white,
one upon the other, so that the stones get evenly and the darker tint deepens into chestnut. While
heated from all sides. The heating process is maize yellow takes a rosy tint, orange turns into
applied for three days continuously, whereafter red as iron oxide spreads evenly. Thus stones
the baked stones are taken out and those which which in their raw form appeared cloudy brown
are not properly baked are baked again till they or yellow now get distinctly marked by clear bands
take their natural colour. of white and red. Red carnelians vary from the
palest red to deepest blood red, (he most valuable
(b) Handla
among them being those having a deep, clear and
4.7 In this method, the cracked and holed ear- uniformly red colour, free from cracks, flaws or
then pots rejected by the potters are purchased and veins. Such stones larger and thicker in size are
the pebbles placed therein, a hole being broken greatly valued. The only method known to the
in the bottom which faces upward. These pots are agate workers of Cambay, whereby the colour of
then arranged in a row in a trench. (Plate IV. I ) agate can be artificially changed, is that of firing in
Goat and cowdung cakes are piled around them trenches described above and the only stones which
and the fire is kept burning from sunset to sunrise. are given this treatment before processing are Raj-
Bricks are kept in between the vacant space of pipla carnelians. The rest are worked upon directly
rows of pots so that the cowdung cakes and other without any prior heating. In foreign countries,
material may not drop out and the pots may get however, the stones are subjected to certain
greater and even heat from all sides. After the chemical processes, whereby the banded effect in
stones are baked the pots are taken out. The the stone gets pronounced as the agate layers,
stones are then examined, properly baked ones although they appear compact to the eye, have
are sorted out, and those which have not attained varying degrees of porosity. Artificial colouring
CHAPTER IV-TECHNIQUE OF PRODUCTION
14
of agates on a commercial scale is carried out in height of about one to one and half feet from the
the Idar-Oberstein district of Western Germany, ground. The length and breadth of this platform
since the year 1820" where, because of the occur- depends upon the number of workers employed.
rence of a fine grade of agate, an agate-cutting The iron spike two or three feet in length is fixed
industry had developed since the 16th century. slanting 'at an angle of 60° in the ground of the
The original process consisted of drying the agate platform till only the head portion is left above
thoroughly and then immersing it in a honey the surface. Against the edge of this spike is
solution for several days until the solution had kept the part of stone to be chiselled into the
penetrated the stone. The agate was then boiled required shape. The workers squatting on pieces
in concentrated sulphuric acid, which charred of gunny bags strike the stone with the horn·headed
the honey to carbon, the carbon, being precipi- hammer very deftly and carefully till all the
tated in the interstices of the apparently solid roughness is removed. This hammer is made
agate. Some non-porous layers remained white, from the horn of a goat or buffalo fixed on a thin
while others varied froIIl a light brown to black, handle made of bamboo 10" to 12" long. On
depending on the porosity of the agate. Most account of constant striking, the hammer gets
of the acid was then removed by washing, and uneven and rough. To remove this roughness,
the remainder by hea ting the agate for several files half round and flat are used. The iron spike
days. Sugar solutions and sulphuric acid are also gets its edges blunt which are sharpened on
now more commonly used. Dhrangadhra or Porbandar stones. The striking
with the hammer is known as 'tappa' and requires
A wide range of color can be produced by careful and constant hamIIlering with proper grip
immersing the dried agate in solutions of soluble of the stones. For getting the stones into desired
salts or iron, chromium or cobalt, and then preci- shapes and removing the 'chal' or the outer skin
pitating an " insoluble compound by immersing the of thin and rough layer of baked stones, the
saturated agate in a second solution. If first satu- stone is held between the two fingers, smallest
rated by a ferric salt, ammonia will precipitate and middle and the thumb which are adjusted
iron hydroxide, which is converted into a reddish according to the shapes to be given. As for
or black iron oxide on heating; potassium thiocya- example, for modan the stones are to be gripped
nate will precipitate the red ferric thiocyanide; with the sIIlall finger which is kept upright,
and potassium ferro cyanide will precipitate ferric otherwise the amount 'of wastage would be
ferrocyanide (Prussain blue). Aniline and other greater. The position of wrist is also to be
organic dyes have also been used. The depth of properly adjusted, as the movement of strokes by
color produced varies with the porosity of the the hammer depends upon the angle of the wrist.
different layers of agate." ... As fingers get injured by sharp edges of flint, the
workers rap them with cotton bandages known as
(iii) CUTTING AND SHAPING THE STONE
'anguthia' to save them from injury and also
(Plates V to VII ) protect them against bleediIlg. Many a time while
4.9 Stones which are baked properly, are cut striking the stone, the 'chal' gets into the eyes of
in the required shape on iron spike known as 'Sink' workers and causes pain. Some of the workers
with 'Shingadi', a horn-headed hammer. Sawing engaged in this operation, therefore, put on numbe-
is however, necessary in case of large-sized Tiger rless spectacles to protect their eyes. The work of
and Mardak stones which are cut into convenient removing the outer surface of the stones requires
pieces with a toothless saw. The workers engaged some training and experience. The apprentice
in cutting and shaping are known as 'Bhangiya' first tries his hand on useless stones, and becomes
or 'Khondiya' and work in a group of four to an adept when he roasters the technique and is
six. In the workshOp, where the agate stones are able to shape them into the smallest of beads.
shaped, there is one raised platform of mud and This has given rise to a proverb "6r @t~ Clijar1
cowdung mixture, locally known as 'otii', at a ij ~1lI 'tiGerT" i.e., Je khande tasbi te tMY kasbi,
*The Encyclopedia Americana-Vol. I (1829) pp.232·233.
Tools for baking and chisellin,t;
2
3
,
II'
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7
10
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:.' ,e ,.' •••• ' .1.,' .' .' ...... ,,' ", ,t : .: .' :
• I, • • • ,,' . ' . , • • ' •• " ••••e •• _ . ' .' ."_ .".' •••
• ' .- • ,0 •• "...... • ••• I'. " •
fI
12
1-4. TOOLS FOR BAKING
TO FACE PAGE 14
Grinding and smoothing on electrically operated emery wheel
~c{~~,,~~~======~~~~~~~~~~~
~~
_ _ _ __ _ ____________
uu--_·
__ - ____ ~~~-----------2
X
SECTION DRAWING
1. Belt 2. Pulle) 3. Wooden plank 4. Emery wheel 5. Iron axle 6. Upward wooden support
TO FACE PAGE 15
ROUGHING AND SMOOTHING THE SURFACE 15
. which says that the person who knows how to duction of electric motor, the work of grinding
cut and shape stones properly into small beads and polishing of agate articles was done entirely
required for a rosary becomes a really skilled by hand operated emery. Now there are only
craftsman. three such establishments, of which one is in
Gandharapwada and two in Pakhaliwad. The
(iv) ROUGHING AND SMOOTHING THE SURFACE
emery wheels required for the combined processes
( Plate VIII)
of grinding and polishing are four in number and
4.10 The stones after they are chiselled into desi- are made by the craftsman himself from a mixture
red shapes, fiat, round, triangular, quadrangular, of emery and lac.
hexagonal, etc., are handed over to the 'Ghasiya'
for smoothing their surface by grinding on the 4.12 The emery stone or Corundum or Car-
emery wheel. This work is done by two methods: (i) borandum from which the emery wheel is made, is
with the help of electricity and (ii) by hand. In known as Kurund in Hindi and Sawada in Guja-
the first method, the 'emery' or carborandum ratio "The industrial form of the mineral is a
wheel working with the electric motor of ! H. P. granular alumina with which a small amount of
is rotated in circle. The roundness of 'this wheel magnetic iron is associated "I. The finest quality
is about 12" in diameter and l~" thick. If the is available in the Pipra and Kadopani areas of
articles are rough and thick, the wheel is given the former Rewa State, where the supply Mr.
greater momentum, and less if thin. The distance Mallet considered to be practically inexhaustible.
between the electric motor and emery wheel is Emery stone is also reported to occur in Non-
about 10 to 15 feet. The wheel is fixed to a grynien, Khasia Hills, Travancore, Coimbatore,
wooden plank 61 to 81 in length at a height of Selum, Mysore State, Pulyghee in the Belari Dis-
about 3" to 4". This wooden frame is known as trict, North Arcot District, Krishna and Godavari
'Charak'. Two or three workers can operate at and Hyderabad territory and the Central Provi-
a time. The worker keeps one small earthen vessel nces•• This stone greyish black in colour is consum-
filled with water by his side and the articles are ed in Jarge quantity by the cutters and polishers of
dipped in water before they are put on the emery stones, both precious and semi-precious. Formerly,
wheel to avoid the powder going into the breath the lapidaries at Cambay used to purchase this
of workers. If water is not used, the wheel moves stone, powder it and prepare the polishing disc, by
more rapidly' giving better 'wadh' or cut and adding it to seed lac in required proportion. But
greater output. But it releases tiny particles of in course of time, the prices of emery stone went
dust which are detrimental to the health of wor- so high, that it was cheaper to utilise ready made
kers. It is believed that while breathing, the emery wheels instead. Polishing discs made from
stone powder goes inside the lungs and causes emery are comparatively cheaper than the one made
T. B. As the Ghasiyas are given wages on piece from stone which they formerly used to purchase
rate basis, they do not dip the stones in water from the market. The proportions of lac and
and thereby get greater output of seven or eight emery to which agate powder which falls off
pieces per minute. But by doing so they render while grinding is also added vary according to the
themselves liable to this fatal disease which is fineness of work to be done-·the quantity of ground
reported to claim three to five deaths every year. emery decreasing and that of lac increasing with
the fineness to be attained. The mixture is heated
4.11 In the second method, the entire process and spread on a wooden board. A dish or a
is done by hand and is akin to fsaraniyas' or stone plate is then passed over this paste to make it
grinders who sharpen the knives, nut crackers, circular in shape. Mter it is dried, the disc is fixed
scissors, etc., on whet stone with the help on an axle inserted in a round wooden roller. The
of the bow-shaped stick with strong cotton string leather string of the bow is wrapped to the roller
or leather belt known as 'vajar'. Before the intro- to give rotation to the wheel. The bow is kept
1 Manual of Geology, Part III, p. 28
* Source: George Watt-A Dictionary of Economic Products of India, pp. 572-573
CHAPTER IV-TECHNIQUE OF PRODUCTION
16
in the right hand and the bead dipped into water then rubbed on a polishing board called patti
kept in the earthen pot is held in the· left hand having its surface cut into grooves. This method
and rubbed against different discs till it gets desired of polishing is not much in vogue now.
polish. In addition to emery discs, copper or
Leather bag method
wooden plates were also used-the former for poli-
shing very hard stones, while the latter for softer 4.18 Another method whereby beads can be
ones. polished by hundreds is the leather bag method. A
number of beads are put into a strong leather
4.13 The four different types of lapidary wheels bag about two feet long and from ten to twelve
required for grinding and hand polishing, are des- inches across. In this bag are put emery dust,
cribed as (i) Ghat-ni-saran used for removing the fine carnelian powder and leather pieces. The
uneveness of surface and giving a correct shape mouth of the bag is then tied and a flat leather
to the stone, (ii) 'Naram' or soft saran used to thong is passed round its centre. At the opposite
make the surface smoother and the remaining two ends of a room are seated two persons, each hol-
to give them appropriate glaze and polish. ding one end of this leather thong, dragging the
bag backward and forward. This to and fro
4.14 In the past, 18 varieties of beads were rolling lasts from ten to fifteen days. During this
shaped and polished on hand operated emery. But entire period, the bag is kept moistened with
tasbi, madan, chopatia modanand loi are the most water. When ~he polishing is complete, the beads
common varieties worked at present. Round, are taken out and handed over to the drillers
square and angular beads are mostly machine for boring holes.
polished, but for decorative articles like birds, fish,
tortoise and other artistic pieces, polishing by hand- Mechanical method (Plate X)
operated discs is preferred.
4.19 There are two establishments where polish-
(v) POLISHING
ing has now been mechanised. The latest innovation
4.15 The articles which are roughed and smoot- is that the leather bag containing beads, emery
hed on emery wheel are polished to give them shine dust, leather pieces and fine carnelian powder is
and lustre. The persons engaged in this activity are placed in a barrel of crude oil or tar. The barrel
polishers known as 'opiya' derived from the word is support~d with axle on both ends or with an
"Op' which in local parlance means shine or lustre. iron rod in between, with a pulley at one end.
There is a pulley also on the electric motor of
4.16 Various methods of hand polishing were in t or 1 H. P. connected with a leather belt
vogue in the past, viz., (i) saran or lapidary's wheel, about 20 ft. in length. The barrels are 3 to 4
(ii) pattimar or polishing against a wooden board in number. Three of them are made of tin and
and (iii) leather bag method. All these processes one of copper. The finished articles are rotated
have been for the most part replaced by mecha- in these drums in turn and finally transferred to
nical method. Each of them used to serve a the copper drum in each of which the proportion
distinct purpose and was applied according to of polishing material varies. The barrels are
the article to be polished. The most common rotated mechanically and within two or three days,
method, however, was the saran or hand operated the beads get polished. There is no physical
lapidary wheel described above. labour involved in this method. What is required
Pattimar (Plate IX) is general supervision and examination of the
glaze obtained. This method has replaced aU
4.17 Pattimar method is specially resorted to the former processes as machine polishing is quicker
in case of small round beads which are fuced in a and physical labour is totally eliminated. Polish-
wooden and bamboo clamp and rubbed against a ing by leather bag method or mechanical method
special type of stone called Porbandari stone to give is a closely guarded secret which no one is
them a smooth surface and rough polish. They are allowed to see.
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1. Setting diamond tip in the dent on steel top of the drill
~I
2 3 4 s 7 8
2. Tools in use for diamond setting
1. Punch 2. Iron rod 3. Pincers 4. File 5. Big iron nail 6. Drill 7. Drill handle 8. Cocoanut shell
TO FACE PAGE 17
DRILLING 17
(vi) DRILLING (Plate XI) the wooden frame, which in colloquial termino-
4.20 After the beads are polished, they are passed logy is known as 'khamanu'.
on for drilling holes. The persons engaged in
this operation are known as 'vindhar' or 'sari' 4.24 After marking drilling points on the top
being derived from the local word 'vindhavu' or and bOltom of the bead, the craftsman takes it up
'saravu' meaning thereby to pierce a hole from for drilling. The drill is encircled by a bow-shaped
one end to another. There are only five establish- string fastened on a thin stick known as 'dhan-
ments of 'vindhar' in Cambay town, two belonging dhodi' held in the right hand. He holds the dia-
to Rana and three to Baraiya castes. But the mond tipped steel drill under a piece of cocoanut
farmers of seven neighbouring villages Nagra, Neja, shell kept under his left palm. The drill is then
Kali-Talavadi, Kansari, Sakkarpur, Chhatardi, turned to and fro, the pressure being regulated by
and Nana-Kalodra within a radius of five miles the left hand passed under the left knee causing
round about Cambay undertake this work as a sub- deformity in both these limbs (Plate XIII). A small
sidiary occupation along with their main occu- earthen pot known as 'dagholu' or' latodi' is
pation to farming. kept on a stand made of three bamboo chips
arranged in cross order. Inside this pot is tamarind
4.21 About 100 households or 300 workers enga- solution or water mixed with agate powder. A
ged in this work are Rajput, Rana, Baraiya-Koli, thin narrow metal reed (about 1~ ft. long) which
Waghari and Chunara by caste. As they own is usually an umbrella reed is fixed in the side of
small land holdings, they supplement their income the pot in a slanting position, so that the solution
by undertaking this work which gives them live- dripping from it helps drilling and prevents the
lihood for 12 months. Mostly all the male diamond tip of the drill from slipping as well
members from 9 to 12 and above upto the age as from getting hot quickly. While drilling, the
of 45 are engaged in this operation. Except mon- artisan inserts a portion of the drill in and out
soon, when they are busy with agricultural opera- intermittently so that the water mixed with carne-
tions, drilling becomes their principal preoccupation. lian powder comes out from the hole and allows
the drill to go ahead. After drilling midway, the
4.22 These establishments are of two kinds, viz., bead is reversed if it is long and hard to com-
(i) those which work in their cottages on the field plete the hole for the other half.
during leisure hours (Plate XII) and (ii) those who
have regular establishments at home in the village 4.25 Proper drilling requires skill and experie-
wherein the ~ousehold members and hired workers nce. Even if the drill goes slightly wrong, the bead
participate. The rates paid by the Cambay looses its value. A bead which is not correctly
merchants vary according to the variety of holes holed is known as 'ghodaveh'. While sorting,
to be drilled, payment being made in cash on ghodaveh and khadak beads are excluded. Such
piece work basis. As the relations between the wastage is known as gabha.
two are cordial, the merchants in some cases give
lumps urn amount by way of advance to please the 4.26 Drilling is one of the most important in-
artisans specialised in this art, so that they remain digeneous and skilled operations, as undrilled beads
under their obligation and give regular output. are not accepted and returned from foreign
countries. Secondly, this operation is not amenable
4.23 The technique of drilling consists of boring to any mechanical device, as direct and continuous
holes through beads by a diamond tipped steel drilling by machine will create heat and will
drill. In order that the beads to be holed are result in cracks; whereas by hand drilling the
gripped properly, they are fixed between two artisan can rotate the drill and regulate the pressure
forks in a wooden clamp and kept in position by according to his requirements.
an iron ring, so that the beads do not get loose and
remain properly fitted. This is known as 'bhinthi'. 4.27 Fixing a diamond tip on the drill also
Round beads are kept in the hollow crevices on demands great skill and experience. The diamond
A-3
18 CHAPTER IV-TECHNIQUE OF PRODUCTION
is purchased from Cambay at the rate of Rs. mechanisation of the craft is not possible, as there
45-00 per rali, broken into fine pieces round in are certain processes which call for human skill
shape valued at Rs. 2-50 or Rs. 3-00 per piece. A and judgement which will not be possible if the
tiny circular dent is made with a hammer on the industry is entirely mechanised. A beginning has,
steel top of the drill about five inches long wherein however, been made by the Good Earth Indus-
the diamond is fixed deftly with the help of a file. tries Ltd., which has shifted their operations from
Cambay to Jamnagar, and mechanised all the vari-
4.28 The various techniques in vogue in the work- ous processes as shown in Plates XIV and XV. The
ing of the agates have been examined in the pre- objects, however, that this establishment turns out
ceding paras to give a complete idea of the processes are large in bulk and therefore capable of being
in vogue in the making of finished articles. As al- subjected to mechanised processes. This, however,
ready seen, except grinding on the emery wheel for may not be possible in case of beads which are
giving shape and smoothing the surface and poli- smaller in size and worked by hand. Even the
shing, the entire technique is hand operated. Even Good Earth Industries have refrained from mech-
the two processes aforementioned are still worked anising the drilling of beads which is not under-
manually by some of the craftsmen. The general taken by them as it is essentially a hand operated
belief prevalent among the artisans is that entire process,
CHAPTER V
FINISHED PRODUCTS
5.1 The travel reports of various foreigners who determined by and shaped according to the size,
visited this country contain references to a number colour and natural formation of raw stones. The
of articles manufactured from agate. Herodotus colour or design found in one article will not be
(484 B. C.) speaks of the sard and onyx being exactly the same in any other article. Beads for
brought from India to be used as finger rings necklaces and rosaries, pieces of different sizes to
and everyone in Babylon wore agate rings. The be set in ornaments like necklaces, armlets, wrist-
murrhine cups so highly prized by Romans and lets, rings, earrings, etc., and a few objects of
one for which Emperor Nero paid £ 58,125 or decoration are the principal articles now worked
Rs. 6 lakhs were shaped in Cam bay from moss from agate at Cambay. Beads are the chief pro-
agate. Tavernier in 1651 speaks of Cambay as a ducts which command a good market in the count-
place where agate cups were hollowed. Of the ries of the Middle East and African coast. The
18th century travellers, Hamilton (1700-1720) in beads are of different sizes and shapes varying
his Travel Accounts mentions among articles made according to the kind and quality of stone from
at Cambay, stones for signets and rings some of which they are made. Their sizes vary considerably
them worth double their weight in gold, cabi- from 1" to l~". Trade names for different varie-
nets of stone, in some cases fourteen or fifteen ties of beads current since last 4 tD 5 centuries
inches long and eight or nine deep, worth from are modan, dol, tasbi, karela, dholak, ath pahel
£ 30 to £ 40, bowls and spoons of several sizes, modan, kandora, supda, kathi loi,chakkar and gulli.
handles of swords, daggers and knives, buttons Details about their size, shapes, colour, etc., are
and stones to be set in snuff boxes of great value given in Table XIV. Some of the stones when
(New Account I pp. 140,145). Half a century later worked upon exhibit natural formation like forests,
(1750), Tieffenthaler says that the white Ratan- rivers, serpents, creepers, beasts of burden, trees,
por agate, baked red at the mines, was in Broach crescent, om and whenever such formations are
and Cambay, worked into vases, little plates, basins, noticed, the articles are processed very carefully,
and other pieces, and sold in Surat and thence so that their natural effects are not destroyed and
taken to Europe. He also notices Kapadvanj kept in tact.
agates worked in Cambay into different figures
and made into vases, plates, and saucers (Res. 5.3 The Good Earth Industries which has rec-
Hist. et Geog. de l' Inde, pp.390,392). About the ently come into existence has undertaken manufact-
same time, the author of the Mirat-i-Ahmedi ure of decorative and ornamental articles like birds,
(1748-1762) mentions rings like those of Yeman, flower vases, ash-trays, bangles, pestle and mortar,
necklaces, cups, handles for knives and daggers necklaces, paper weights, paper cutters, buttons
(Bird, 104). The articles possessed by some local and articles in abstract form. This has opened up
merchants or exhibited at some of the museums new avenues in the manufacture of agate articles
like Victoria and Albert Museum at Bombay, Salar- which are at present mainly confined to beads only.
jung Museum at Hyderabad, Picture and Art During the visit of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth
Gallery at Baroda, Gandhi Smruti at Bhavnagar II and H.R.H. the Duke of Edinborough to Ahme-
and others show that a large variety of articles dabad, a bangle made of Akik and a steamer with
and objects of art were manufactured from agate lighthouse also made of agate were presented to
in the past. Lists of articles found in some of the the Royal visitors by this establishment. Some
museums are given in Appendix V-A, Band C. of the above-mentioned articles processed and
manufactured by this establishment were also ex-
5.2 The articles to be produced from agate are hibited in the Industries Exhibition at Delhi and
19
CHAPTER V-FINISHED PRODUCTS
20
the All-India Village Industries and Khadi Exhibi- beads of various shapes and sizes and a few deco-
tion held at Bhavnagar in connection with the 66th rative pieces like tortoise, fish, birds, shiv-ling, etc.
session of the All-India Congress Session in 1960. For, when the former patronage which inspired
the craftsman to prepare objects of art was gone,
5.4 Appendix VI shows the different types persons possessing such skill disappeared. There
of articles manufactured from agate in the past is no craftsman now who can produce those excel-
and at present. lent pieces which made Cambay agates once so
famous. For, the creation of artistic pieces requires
5.5 It will be seen from the above that till the a high degree of artistic talent and patience.
end of the eighteenth century articles manufactur- Both these in turn mean cost which only a few
ed from agate were highly prized and patronised would afford, and a fewer still would go in for.
all the world over for their artistic value and rarity. The present day lapidary has, therefore, to go in
Thereafter, the artistic skill of the Cambay lapidary for designs and shapes which are less costly and
which had developed to perfection gradually within the reach of the common man.
declined, with the result that in present times, his Articles made in the past and worked at
activities are confined only to the manufacture of present are illustrated in Plates XVI to XXI.
CHAPTER VI
MARKETING
21
22 CHAPTER VI-MARKETING
for minor gems, agates are also in demand these idea of the nature and extent of business in agate
days in countries like America, Japan, Java and m the past.
Sumatra. Nearer home, necklaces, bracelets,
armlets, earrings, etc., manufactured from agate Year Annual Sale (in Rs.)
are getting popular in big cities like Bombay, 1804 49,140
Calcutta, Madras, Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Hy- 1805 59,900
derabad and Agra, as ornaments of fashionable 1806 17,470
1807 111,870
wear. Agate beads are in increasing demand also 54,240
by the tribals of Nagaland, NEFA and Assam. 1843 94,900
1 71 75,080
6.4 Competition from rival markets-local as 1872 78,490
well as foreign-which Cambay agates have to face 1873 98,840
1874 84,370
nowadays is very great indeed. For, apart from the
1875 90,720
decline in its former prosperity, and the adverse 1876 53,160
effect on the highly artistic skill it had once attain- 1877 69,170
ed, the industry has been threatened by a fresh 1878 50,970
danger from artificial stones. Among the local
rivals, Ogale Glass Works at Ogalevadi have started 6.6 These figures reveal that during the nine-
manufacturing glass beads of the size, shape and teenth century the volume of business fluctuated
colour of agate, while among the foreign competi- widely from year to year. The beginning of this
tors, Germany has established itself as a great rival century was a period of depression as in addition to
by developing this industry on a more scientific the regular duty of £53-168. 3d., a special cess of
basis by manufacturing synthetic stones which £ 17 8s. 9d. was imposed for some years making a
take better polish and have a larger range of co- total charge of £71-5s. per cent on articles ru'anufac-
lours. Every industry must, if it wishes to survive, tured from agate. The fluctuations were, therefore,
adjust itself to the changing needs of time by greater in tre beginning than in the latter part
producing articles which suit modern tastes and of this century as evidenced by the fact that the
command a ready market. Agate is a material export of agate articles which was Rs. 59,900 in
from which various objects of art and decorative 1805 suddenly dropped down to Rs. 17,470 in
pieces can be made both for local consumption 1806 and rose as high as Rs. 111,870 in 1807.
as well as foreign markets. Increase in tourist Thereafter, the trade seems to have followed more
traffic has opened up a fresh avenue for the sale or less an even tenor till 1875, when the decline
of agate articles of tourist tastes. With the opera- seems to have set in. It is unfortunate that
tion of Gold Control, there are greater chances no figures about the volume of trade for the
for the popularisation of agate articles than ever period prior or subsequent to the East India
before. If the Cambay lapidary rises to the occa- Company's regime are available. But according
sion and revives his former skill which was res- to present estimates obtained from some of the
ponsible in the past for manufacturing articles of knowledgeable persons engaged in this indu-
great artistic value, the industry still has a bright stry, about Rs. 2 to 2! lakhs worth of agate
future. Changes in design and introduction of and other stones are processed annually at
new varieties and proper publicity should help Cambay, the value of finished articles being Rs.
the development of existing markets and explore 10 to 12 lakhs. These figures do not give a cor-
new ones hitherto unknown. rect picture of the volume of trade in the past
and present, as the purchasing power of rupee
VOLUME OF BUSINESS
was far greater those days than it is at present.
6.5 The figures of the estimated value of the
AGENCY OF MARKETING
export of agate articles by the East India Company
upto the year ending 1878 extracted from Mil- 6.7 Till recently, finished products were in the
burn's Oriental Commerce, will give a comparative first instance disposed off to Bombay merchants
AGENCY OF MARKETING
23
who in turn exported them to foreign countries. container of white tin of about 1 to Ii feet is
This practice has now changed, as some of the deal- used for packing the articles to be exported.
ers have established direct trade relations with The tin holds articles weighing about 19 ~ Ibs.
foreign countries, while others still continue to avail which with the weight of tin and. cloth into
of the agency cf exporters at Bombay as they did which it is sewn comes to 22 lbs. The packing
before. Sales are nowadays effected either direct charges per tin come to about Rs. 5/- and the
through agents in foreign countries or purchased insurance charges Rs. 0-1 gnP. per 100 pieces.
by local merchants for export to foreign markets. The postage has risen from Rs. 8/- to Rs. 10/- in
Purchases are also made by commission agents 1951 and now stands at Rs. 24/-. One such parcel
and representatives of firms coming to Cambay contains articles worth Rs. 400/-to Rs. 650/-accord-
from places like Jaipur, Bombay, Delhi, etc. In ing to its size and quality. The parcel sent by
Cambay itself there are only three retail shops steamer takes two and a half months to reach its
which deal in agate wares on wholesale as well destination. The container bears the following
as retail basis. Agates mainly being articles of Customs' declaration:-
export to foreign markets, it will be worthwhile
to examine the various formalities required to be Customs' Declaration
undertaken in this behalf. The following five are
5-1-63 Invoice : 78
the main export dealers at Cambay through whom
the major bulk of exports in agate takes place:- CAM BAY AGATE STONES
1500 pcs YANKANKARA
1 K. G. Brothers or Mansuri Brothers,
Rana Chakla, Cambay. Net wt.
2 Thakorlal Chunilal Shah, Akikwala, 22 lbs.
Krishna Pole, Cambay. India Rs. 464-15 nP.
3 Indo-Africa-Egypt Trading Co., Cambay. Stamp
4 Daud and Co., Cam bay. For Mansuri Bros.
5 Agate Exporters, Cambay. Sd/
Cambay
6.8 The finished articles are sorted out by the 6.9 The transactions are wholesale and mostly
exporters according to the orders received by them on the basis of payment in cash. Local sales tax
from foreign countries. Certain procedural for- is charged at the rate of 5 per cent first on the
malities are then undergone. Formerly, the par- price of raw material and then again on finished
cels containing these articles were to be kept open articles.
for examination by the Bombay Customs. The
necessity of going to Bombay every time a parcel 6.10 When the goods reach the destination, the
is to be sent, has now ceased as it can be despa- party receiving them has to pay an import duty
tched by post in properly packed and labelled of Rs. 75/- per parcel to the Nigerian Government.
tins after filling in the prescribed forms at Cam- This duty which was Rs. 20/- till 1955 was raised
bay itself. The exporter has to fill in three forms, as high as Rs. 75/- in 1962, when agate stones were
of which one is sent to the bank of the foreign classified as precious stones. This heavy increase
country to which the articles are exported, the cannot but prove harmful to this industry which
second to the Reserve Bank of India and the has already suffered a great set-back during the
third is kept in the local post office. A cylindrical present century.
CHAPTER VII
ORGANISATIONAL PATTERN
7.1 Separate trade guilds or panchayats for each From time to time the members of a guild hold
individual process of the craft was a unique and a feast meeting the charges out of the common
interesting feature of the organisational pattern of funds. In any factory, if one of the skilled workers
the agate industry which has completely disap- wishes to have a son taught the craft, or, if a new
peared now. These guilds besides he] ping to hand is anxious to join, he gives a dinner to the
strengthen the structural organisation of the head of the workshop and to the other skilled
industry and acting as a cementing tie between the workers. Except in making arrangements for the
various branches enabled the craftsmen to speci- unpaid service due to the Nawab, the trade funds
alise in a particular technique and maintain its would seem to be applied to no purpose but that
hereditary character and skill handed down of entertaining the members. When a guild
from father to son. It also precluded the entry feast is held, if one of its members chances to
of any outsider without prior initiation and be sick, his share of the dinner is sent to him. With
probation as an apprentice. Muslims and Patels this exception, the practice of using trade funds
formed majority communities in guilds. Their to support the sick or those out of work, or to
social contacts were kept alive, by arranging provide for widows and orphans, is unknown.
a community dinner once or twice a year in
the mangroves of the neighbouring village of On paying the Nawab a fee, and agreeing
Vadva, two miles away from Cambay. The role to meet the customary charges including a yearly
these guilds or panchayats played in the past is subscription of £ 1-4 s. (Rs. 12), any member of
vividly brought out in the following extract from one of the underguilds may become a dealer,
the Bombay Gazetteer. akikia. About four years ago, the heavy cost of
joining the akikia guild caused a dispute. Certain
(i) TRADE GUILDS
of the polishers, ghasias, claimed the right to deal
"In each branch of the craft the heads of in stones without becoming members of the akikia
factories form a distinct guild or panchayat. There guild. The regular dealers were too strong for
is the guild of polishers on stone, dolia panchayat; them, and, failing to get in business, they were
of polishers on wood, pattimar panchayat; of wor- forced to leave Cambay. With some families of
kers on the lapidaries' wheel, ghasia panchayat; drillers they retired to Ahmedabad. But, finding
and of drillers, vindhar panchayat. Above them themselves no better of there, they returned to
is the dealers' guild, akikia panchayat, in whose Cambay.
factories the work of sawing and chiselling is
carried on. Over each of these guilds a headman, The guilds are useful in arranging for the ser-
chosen by the votes of the members, presides. vice due to the Nawab. When the Nawab wants
There is no combination among the workers in a lapidary, he tells the dealers' guild what work
the different factories, and there is no record of he wishes done. The chief of the dealers sends
any dispute between the workers and their em- to the master of one workshop in each branch of
ployers. Any skilled worker who raises himself to the craft, telling him what is wanted, and asking
be head of a factory, may become a member of him if he will undertake the duty. If he agrees,
the guild of the branch of the craft to which he and there is generally in each class one master-
belongs. On joining a guild the new comer is worker who undertakes the Nawab's orders, he
expected to give a feast to the members, the ex- receives from £ 5 to £ 6 (Rs. 50-60) from the guild
pense varying from £ 17-1 Os. to £80 (Rs. 175-800). funds. Among guild rules, one forbids master-
He is at the same time required to pay the Nawab workers engaging the services of workmen belong-
a fee of from £1-10 s. to £10 (Rs. 15-100). ing to another factory. Another lays down certain
24
CAMBAY TOWN
DISTRICT KAIRA
I
REF ERE N C'E 5
§ GRINDING
• DRILLING
• POLISHING
iI RAILWAY STATION
~ 8US STAND
MAHISAGAR RIVER
TO FACE PAGE 25
~RADE GUILDS 25
days, amounting in all to about two months in sale and export. They purchase the raw material
the y~ar, to be kept as holidays. Breaches of the at the mines and from various other places where
rules are punished by fines varying from 2s. 6d. different varieties of stones are available, store them
to 5s. (Rs. 11-2t)."1 and carry out the preliminary processes of (i)
7.2 This unique frame-work under which thest'; sun baking and heating, wherever necessary, (ii)
different guilds operated in the past helped the cutting into appropriate shape and size and (iii)
survival of the industry and resulted in specialisa- grinding the surface. The subsequent processes
tion of different processes by members of undergui- which involve drilling and polishing he gets done
Ids despite the various onslaughts and vicissitudes it on piece work basis by individual craftsmen
had to suffer from time to time. The decline of working either at home or in cottages on their
the industry appears to be due to the fissiparous fields. The distribution of different categories
tendencies which made themselves manifest in the of workers is shown on the map opposite. The
present century and brought about the gradual Karkhanedar is thus the real financier who
disa ppearance of all such institutions, social as well plays the key role of feeding the various bran--
as economic. The absence of any alternative ins- ches of the industry which are dependent on
titution to replace them has hard hit the interests the work he parcels out to them. With his entre-
of the industry by removing the bonds of cohesion prenurial ability and marketing intelligence, he
and unity among the members of different bran- guides and supervises the various operations of
ches. Though no such guild or panch as existed artisans working under his control, and regu-
in the past on the basis of craft survives today, lates the production of finished products according
one panch known as 'juna Akikiya Panch" or- to the prevalent trends in market. While the
ganised on caste basis by Leva Patidars still exists Karkhanedars usually make their own arrange-
in Cambay. It has lost its former character as trade ments for the disposal of the finished products in
guild wherein members of the craft participated the local as well as foreign markets, there are some
irrespective of their caste_ or creed and has been who sell their products either to local exporters
now replaced by a panch based entirely on caste. or to Bombay and other merchants who have
7.3 The organisational pattern on accoun t of direct trade relations through their agents or
the diversified and dispersed nature of various representatives stationed in foreign markets. The
operations of the industry is of a complex nature. karkhanas can be further sub-divided into smaller
Though each process is carried in a distinct work- and bigger units depending upon the number of
shop by skilled artisans specialised in each employees varying from 2 to 10 and capital
technique, all the different processes ar~ inter- invested by the Akikia or Karkhanedar. The
related. There is not a single establishment wherein smaller size of karkhanas obviously engage lesser
all the different processes from refining of raw nUI~ber of artisans and their capital investment
material to the production of finished articles are is also proportionately smaller. These karkhanas
undertaken from· start to finish. Apart from the do not come under the operation of the Factories
Adivasis of the Rajpipla area who work as labourers Act and the industry is mostly run on a house-
extracting raw stone, the organisational pattern hold' basis with the help of family members and
can be broad Iy arranged in two sections, namely, hired workers. The larger ones operate on factory
(i) Akikias, i.e., dealers or Karkhanedars and basis wherein .hired workers are. for the most
(2) artisans or craftsmen who have specialised in part employed under the supervision of the owner.
different techniques of agate manufacture. The
(ii) ARTISANS
former category includes (i) factory owners who
run their own establishments either entirely with 7.4 Different shapes are given according to
the aid of hired workers or who themselves being the requirements of articles to be ultimately
master craftsmen also participate and work with manufactured. All the various processes of agate
the help of family members and hired workers indursty are carried out either in the establishment
and (ii) dealers who purchase finished products for of the Karkhanedar or in the household by skilled
Gazetteer of the Bombay Presi~~b~,-(1880) pp. 204.205
A-4
CHAPTER VII-ORGANISATIONAL PATTERN
26
craftsmen on behalf of some Karkhanedar who gets brass was issued to the society by the Director of
them manufactured into finished articles after pass- Geology to be renewed every year after 31st May.
ing through the hands of six different categories of One brass approximately weighs 145 Bengal
specialised workers. The preparatory processes maunds. At present, the agate stones are distri-
like spreading on the open terrace or on corru- buted to the members of the cooperative society
gated iron sheets on house tops to divest the raw on an indent basis, that is, to those members who
material of its moisture, sun heating and firing place their indents before the prescribed date and
in trenches are invariably carried out in the agree to take delivery against cash payment. The
factory. They work either on their own or in soci.ety's representative is stationed at Jhagadia to
the establishment of another and are remunerated supervise the working of mines and arranges for
according to their output on piece work basis. the movement of raw material to Cambay after
They work under or for an establishment of their sorting it at the pit's mouth. The total average
choice where the conditions and terms are suitable output per year comes to about 20 to 22 brass
and favourable. As frequent change over of or 2900 to 3190 Bengal maunds of raw material.
employer is not resorted to by the workers, bond Before the society was registered, there were only
of relationship between both the sections is generally 37 karkhanas in Cambay which have now risen
friendly and harmonious. The organisation of to 67. The membership has risen from 37 t6 169
agate industry though marked by vertical integra- ( 1961-62). This large increase in the nUJ;nber
tion of different processes and techniques pursued of establishments and membership is indicative of
by persons engaged in different operations is the confidence inspired by the working of and
thus based on mutual cooperation and cordiality greater facilities in procuring raw material offered
of relations at different levels. by an institution organised on a cooperative basis
as against individual contractors operating on a
(iii) COOPERATION
monopolistic basis. Tl}.ere are five other private
7.5 Formation of cooperative society for procur- lease holders or contractors who work the mines
ing raw material from Jhagadia ~ines is the only and sell their raw material to karkhanedars of
phase of this industry which has been recently Cambay on cash or credit basis. Cooperative
brought under the purview of cooperation. An activity is thus restricted to the karkhanedars. or
association of 37 members engaged in this industry Akikias, whose only objective is to obtain raw
was formed in 1949. Thereafter, a cooperative material for its members by working mines taken
society was regi.stered as "Akik Udyog Vikas on lease at Rajpipla. The actual workers who are
Sahakari Mandli Ltd." on 24th August, 1951 likely to benefit by the formation of a coopera-
with the object of procuring a lease to work the tive society by the elimination of the middlemen
mines. From 17th July 1961 it has secured a have so far remained outside the pale of coopera-
mining lease for a period of 20 years. Prior to tion. The cream of profit thus goes to a few
the grant of the mining lease, under the permit financiers who work as dealers and run their own
system then in vogue, permission to extract 20 factory.
CHAPTER VIII
ECONOMICS OF AGATE INDUSTRY
MANPOWER far. Such set-backs were not unknown in the past.
8.1 The manpower employed in this industry at In fact, the downward trend seems to have started
Cambay can be divided into skilled and unskilled. much earlier and continued till present times. For,
The unskilled workers undertake miscellaneous as stated in the Gazetteer, even during 1845-1878,
type of work like collecting and removing stones, no less than 167 families of agate workers aban-
supplying and arranging tools for artisans, sorting doned their craft, 125 took up:agriculture in Cam-
of pebbles, etc. As the different processes and bay, 25 went to Bombay and took up stone poli-
techniques require skilful handling, it is very essen- shing and glass mending, 10 went to Baroda and
tial for workers to undergo some training and took up tobacco-selling and 7 went to Ahmedabad
acquire necessary experience before they become and took up silk weaving. Fall in'demand of
skilled artisans. All such persons under training finished articles, insufficiency of work, low producti-
have to pass through a period of apprenticeship vity and competition from synthetic stones from
of about 6 to 8 months, before they get regular Germany which have flooded the market are the
employment as skilled workers. Even in mining, causes responsible for the decay in this industry.
though the work involves manual labour, finding Oil fields at Lunej nearby Cambay and at Ank-
out the real type of stones from different trap lesvar at a distance of about 14 miles from
beds is a specialised and skilled job, which can Ratanpor in recent times, though not a happy sign
be undertaken only by experienced Adivasi (Bhil) for the agate industry, have opened upa new avenue
labourers working in mines in and around Jha- of employment for labourers working in this in-
gadia in Broach district. dustry. On enquiry it has been found that about
25 to 39 workers have shifted their place of work
8.2 In each technique of the industry from exca- to oil fields to better their economic condition.
vating of raw stones from the mines to the final
WAGE STRUCTURE AND EARNINGS
technique of drilling, skilled workmanship is thus
very essential. It is marked by vertical· integra- 8.4 Owing to the diversified and specialised na-
tion of all the different processes involved in the ture of techniques and processes involved in the in-
making of finished products. dustry, the artisans work mostly on piece rate basis.
The wages paid differ from one branch to another
8.3 The agate industry has suffered a progressive according to the skill of the artisan and fineness
decline in its prosperity since the middle of the of performance. Daily average earnings of skilled
nineteenth century as can be seen from the fact artisans vary from Rs. 6 to 8 and for the appren-
that the total number of families· engaged in this tice or semi-skilled workers from Rs. 3 to 4.
industry have dwindled down to 446 from 600 in Absence of payment on daily wages and remu-
1878 as stated by the author of the Gazetteer. neration on piece wage system is the age old fea-
With the decay in trade and numerous other ture of this industry which it has retained till
factors noticed elsewhere, this industry suffered a now. Wages. paid for the main processes involved
severe set-back from which it has not revived so in this industry are detailed below.
Piece work Rates for Different Processes
81. No. Type of Process or Work Unit Piece rate (in Rs. )
1 Extracting and collecting stones from the mines 35 Ibs. 3.00
2 Cutting and shaping stones (Khondiya) 1,000 (pieces) 45.00
3 Roughing and smoothing the surfaces (Ghasiya) 1,000 (pieces) 40.00
4 Polishing (Opiya) i Bengal Md. 20 to 25
5 Polishing round shaped pieces (Doliya) 1,000 (pieces) 20.00
6 Drilling (Vindhar) (a) 1,000 (pieces) Long shaped 40.00
(b) 1,000 (pieces) Round shaped 16.00
27
28 CHAPTER VIII-ECONOMICS OF AGATE INDUSTRY
CASTE-WISE DISTRIBUTION tion in that the raw material required for working
8.5 Another peculiarity of this industry is parti- it is available in the mines of Jhagadia in Rajpiphl
cipation by people of all castes and religions. It Taluka of Broach District, and the finished pro-
is not restricted to one particular section or caste ducts are processed and manufactured at Cambay
of society. Out of a total number of 446 house- in Kaira District both in Gujarat State. Since
holds engaged in this industry as many as 161 mining is one of the basic operations of this indu-
belong to Patel community, 96 are Ranas, 39 stry, its working should also be examined before
Muslims, 21 Thakors, 20 Valmiks, 15 Chunaras, we close this section.
13 each Baraias and RavaIs, II Nagarbandharas, 8.8 Mining atJhagadia is carried out by (i) a
10 Bhavsars and 47 others. The latter include cooperative society formed at Cambay and (ii)
such castes as Bania, Rajput, Panchal, Dudhara, contractors who have obtained a mining lease from
Kadia, Prajapati, Pakhali, etc. Distribution of Government. Shri Akik Udyog Vikas Sahakari
artisans by community is given in Table No. II. Mandli Ltd., Cambay, though registered in 1951,
A total number of 2,903 persons are dependent started actual mining operations in 1957-58, when
upon this industry, of whom 739 are workers- regular mining lease was given. Between 1951 and
707 males, 32 females and 134 children. The 1957, it obtained a permit to extract stones from
age composition of these families goes to show certain special area from the Collector, Broach. The
that out of a total of 873 earners, as many as terms and conditions on which a prospecting license
799 or 91.5 per cent belong to the age-group 15 and mining lease are given by Government are
to 59 as against 32 below 15 years and 42 over reproduced in Appendix IV-A and B. The working
the age of 60. of the cooperative society since 1957 reveals' that
the extraction of raw material varies froriI, year
INCOME GROUPS
to year, with corresponding fluctuations in (a)
8.6 The total annual earnings of 446 households labour charges paid to the miners, (b) expenses
stood at Rs. 581,900, the average annual income of management and Cc) royalty paid to Govern-
per household being Rs. 1,305. Table No. XVII sho- ment. While labour charges have increased from
ws that 44.84 per cent earn Rs. 1,000 and above per Rs. 15,174 in 1957-58 to Rs. 26,374 in 1961-62,
annum, and the rest below Rs. 1,000, those earning the overall expenditure on all the different heads
more than Rs. 2,000 and above per year constitute incurred by the society has more than doubled
only 15% of the total. Distribution of households from Rs. 32,855 to Rs. 66,279 during the same
according to income range further reveals that period. On the other hand its profits went up
while 333 households or 14.7 per cent of the total from Rs. 922 in 1957 to Rs. 4,694 in 1960, but
earn Rs. 1,500/- and less per year,45 households fell down to Rs. 1,528 in 1961, probably due to
come under the income range Rs.I,501-2,000, 38 in higher labour charges, rise in the expenses of
the income range Rs. 2,001-2,500, and 29 in the management and increase in the amount of roya1~
range Rs. 2,501 and above. One household had not ty and local fund cess paid to Government. With
stated its income. The percentage of households greater economy in management, it should be po-
earning over Rs. 1,500/- per year thus comes to ssible for the society to reduce cost and raise the
25.10. profits appreciably.
8.9 The following statement compiled from
MINING
the statistics furnished by the Royalty Inspector is
8.7 The agate industry is unique in its composi- instructive:-
Number oj leaseholders, area, quantib' and value oj stones excavated at Jhagadia
No. of Area Quantity Quantity Value Average Rate of Total Royalty
lease (in Acres & excavated despatched (in Rs.) value at pit's Royalty received (in Rs.)
Year holders Gunthas) (in tons) (in tons) mouth (in Rs.)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1959 3 1157-02 494-10 448.20 162,885.18 336.13 20'/. of sales 15,073.67
1960 3 1157-02 180-10 161.00 78,895.40 246.66 value 7,032.39
1961 3 1157-02 221-10 387.24 43,997.44 148.92 4,687.21
f96~ 4 P89-12 587-8~ 536.29 137,547.92 394.98 " 20,484.0!,1
"
TOOLS AND IMPLEMENTS 29
8.10 On the whole, there seems to be a slight im- mines, the Adivasis of Jhagadia and surrounding
provement in the condition of the industry in recent areas.
years. While the area worked has increased from
TOOLS AND IMPLEMENTS
1157 acres in 1959 to 1789 acres in 1962 with the
corresponding increase in the quantity excavated, 8.11 Except in the case of one or two processes
which has gone up from 494 tons to 587 during wherein mechanisation has been introduced during
the same period, there is a small decline in the recent times, the implements required are those
value of the raw material in terms of rupees which which are traditionally in use and locally available
has gone d0wn from Rs. 162,885 to Rs. 137,547. and such as can be made by the craftsman him-
The royalty recovered by the Government self or the local artisan from material locally
during the same period has also increased from available. They are simple and do not cost much
Rs. 15,073 to Rs. 20,484. These figures are as will be seen from Table XIII and the illustra-
exclusive of the area worked in the Mardak tions of various processes given in this Monogr::j.ph.
Beyt of Kutch district, where the contractor
worked in 903 acres, extracted 1652' Bengal 8.12 The following table extracted from Table
maunds of raw material and paid a royalty XIII will give an idea of the overall investment
of Rs. 2,000 to Government. All these figures required to be made in different processes of this
may reasonably indicate the possibility of industry:-
improvement in the future prospects of this
industry provided some of the handicaps in Investment in tools and implements by processes
its way are removed and necessary encouragement
I Mining Rs. 11/-
given to the industry in finding alternate markets 2 Baking Rs. 53/-
inside and outside the country. It has been esti- 3 Breaking and shaping .. Rs. 36/-
mated that about 400 workers are employed in 4 Grinding
mining, of whom 300 male workers are skilled (a) By hand operated emery wheel .. Rs. 22/-
and about 100 female workers unskilled, who help .(b) By electrically operated emery wheel Rs . 1,045/-
5 Drilling Rs. 20/-
the former in filling up and carrying baskets of
6 Polishing
raw materials. It is also estimated that about (a) By hand operated emery wheel Rs. 21/-
Rs. 70,000/- are paid every year to the miners by (b) By electrically operated emery wheel Rs. 790/-
~ay of wages they receive on piece work basis at
the rate of Rs. 3/- per basket of 35 1bs. The wages The only processes wherein some sizeable
the society has paid since its inception work out amount of capital is required are those which
to be on an average Rs. 22,479 per annum. Since relate to grinding and polishing which have been
it has been excavating about 22 Brass of raw recently mechanised by the use of electric power,
material every year as against a total require- the main item of expenditure being an electric
ment of 60 Brass, there is every possibility of ex- motor of t H. P. and accessories costing about
pansion of cooperative activity in this operation Rs. 500/-.
in view of the wide margin between the quantity
HOUSING AND WORKING CONDITIONS
extracted by the society and the private lease-
holders. In other words, more cooperative so- 8.13 The housing conditions and environment of
cieties can still be formed and the scope of opera- the place of work reveal that while there is con-
tion extended to those who should benefit by the centration of establishments in certain localities
fruits of their own labour. Since the cooperative of the town within a radius of a furlong or two,
society has been organised by dealers of Cam bay there are certain units like those of the Vindhars
and not by the persons who work the mines at or drillers located in the neighbouring villages on
Jhagadia, the real object and spirit of coopera- the periphery of Cainbay. In most of the cases,
tion are lost sight of. It benefits the employers the nature of establishment is of workshop-cum-
whoever they may be, society or private contra- dwelling type. Out of 446 households, 89 per
ctors but not the persons who actually work the cent have their place of work located either in the
30 CHAPTER VIII-ECONOMICS OF AGATE INDUSTRY
front or in a verandah or upper portion of their wherever necessary. Establishments where more
residence. Only 11 per cent of households have than five persons are employed in workshops set
their place of work at some distance from their up outside the house are quite a few in number.
place of residence. All the houses have good venti- Even some of the latter type of units are located
lation and lighting facilities. Analysis of the housing in the household itself, some portion of which is
conditions according to tenure status discloses that used as workshop and godown and the rest utilised
362 households or 81.16 per cent live in owned as residential quarters by the family.
houses and 84 households or 18.84 per cent in
rented houses. Distribution of households accor- 3 Hired labour is employed by two sections
ding to number of rooms according to household of workers, viz., (i) by factory owners or Karkhane-
schedule revealed that 107 households or 23.99 per dars, who are, as seen elsewhere, the real finan-
cent lived in single room tenements, 180 or 40.36 ciers and (ii) by the householders who work them-
per cent in houses with two rooms, 60 or 13.45 per selves and also employ hired workers, in addition
cent in houses with three rooms, 39 or 8.74 per to participation by the members of the household.
cent in houses with four rooms, 18 or 4.04
per cent in houses having five rooms and 4 Another distinguishing feature of this, in-
more, whereas in case of 42 households, the dustry is that while it is the principal occupation
number of rooms was not specified. Of the of the majority of the households engaged therein,
total households, 64,.35 per cent of the house- it also supports a number of cultivating families
holds are found living in substandard houses in the surrounding villages having very sm~ll hold-
having two rooms and less, occupied by 1,806 per- ings which are uneconomic and canno~ sustain
sons or 62.21 per cent of the total employed in themselves only on the income of agriculture.
this industry. As regards living space, it has been Such households supplement their income by work-
found that of 446 households, 189 or 42.38 per ing (except in monsoon) in drilling operation
cent of the total have 251 sq. ft. and above per either in their household or in their farmhouses
average family of six persons •. on field.
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE INDUSTRY
5 Agates are not in appreciable demand in
8.14 Some of the distinguishing features of the its homeland though they are so very popular
industry may be examined below:- abroad. The reason for such a phenomena is to
be traced to psychology of the Indian people who
The entire industry is labour intensive. have from times immemorial fancy for real gems
This is one of the reasons why the participation rather than artificial ones.
by women folk who work merely as unskilled
labourers is insignificant. In this respect the in- 6 Last but not the least. The greatest con-
dustry has preserved its former characteristic in- sumers of the finished products made from the
tact even to present times. raw material extracted by the tribals, the Bhils
of Jhagadia, are also the tribals, the Negroes of
2 It is essentially a household industry which Africa, who claim nearly 75 per cent of the total
is worked in individual households with the help export. Use of agates by the civilized man is
of the members of the family and hired workers thus comparatively much less.
CHAPTER IX
CONCLUDING REMARKS
9.1 The survey of the agate industry which has are willing to send their family members abroad
been made in the preceding pages traces its in case such a facility was forthcoming at Stat~
glory in the past and decay in the present. As expense.
already examined, the decline of the industry
during the latter half of the nineteenth century 9.2 As already noticed before, there is ample
as well as during the whole of the present century scope for the expansion of cooperative activity in
has been brought about by the general decay of this industry, both at the base as well as at the top.
trade at Cambay, its disappearance as the princi- Cooperative of miners if organised at Jhagadia
pal centre of maritime trade owing to the cons- will benefit the actual workers on the field. For-
truction of railway line between Ahmedabad and mation of a cooperative society of craftsmen at
Bombay and severing off of its former connections Cambay so as to coordinate all the various pro-
with the hinterland. The prosperity of an indus- cesses at one place will eliminate the middleman
try depends on the markets it finds for the disposal and improve the economic condition of the workers.
of its products. The former markets having dis- In case such an organisation is possible, necessary
appe'!.red o~ing to the' changes in trade routes finance will have to be provided to the society so
and competition in recent times from the artificial that it may not have to suffer for want of adequate
stones manufactured by Germany which have funds. All possible facilities will have to be rendered
flooded the markets these days, the future of the to' the society in arranging direct export to foreign
industry has been greatly jeopardised. The danger markets without having recourse to any inter-
from the latter is indeed very great and cannot mediary. Such help can best be given by the
be staved off unless some positive steps are taken Handicrafts Board.
for the creation of new and alternative markets
at home and abroad. Proper publicity in the 9.3 Agate industry is so constituted since it start-
foreign markets and changes in design to suit ed at Cambay that the different processes ofmanu-
modern tastes are equally essential. While it may facture have been specialised by different sets of
not, be possible to modernise some of the age old artisans. This specialisation made Cambay famous
techniques, some labour saving devices can be in- for the manufacture of a variety of articles and
troduced with advantage, resulting in greater decorative pieces so highly prized all the world
output and profit. Every care will have, however, over. UnfortunatelY, the workmen who executed
to be taken to see that the essential household such artistic pieces no longer exist as a result of
character of the industry is not disturbed by trans- the decline of this industry and the loss of former
ferring some of the remaining processes which patronage. The principal articles now pro-
are at present operated in the household to the duced are beads of various sizes and shapes and
factory. If this is done, the very objective of pieces required for setting them in jewellery such
promoting household industry will be frustrated, as necklaces, armlets, wristlets, finger rings, earrings,
as such a course will benefit only the capi- etc. If proper encouragement is given, there
talist factory owner and not the actual artisan should be no difficulty in reviving the former talent
whose condition would remain the same as ever which has reached perfection in the past. Rather
before. Arrangements should also be made for the than confining his talent to the making of beads,
training of local artisans in new techniques of the the Cambay lapidary should revert to the pro-
industry as operated in foreign countries. Some duction of some of the articles which his forefather
of them can be sent to Germany to learn the art made in the past. Alternate uses of agate should
of artificial colouring by chemical processes. In also be thought of. Pestle and mortar so very
fact, there have been certain households who have useful for pounding medicines and colours required
in response to the inquiry made stated that they for inlay work in gold and silver ornaments would
31
CHAPTER IX-CONCLUDING REMARKS
32
,
f~tch high prices. Agate being rustproof can be are at stake owing to a variety of reasons noted
used as jewel in the manufacture of watches and above. It has suffered a further blow.in the heavy
also as fulcra for chemical balances. Chips of import duty recently imposed by the Nigerian
agates are in demand in some parts of the country Government, which has raised it from Rs. 20/- in
in the making of Ayurvedic medicines. Agates 1955 to Rs. 75/- in 1962. The further handicap
are also used in polishing earthenwares at of foreign rival in the shape of synthetic stones is
Anand, 32 miles from Cambay. After applying equally great. In order to appreciate the danger
an oily coating on their surface, smooth agates from all these quarters, it is necessary to remember
are rubbed to bring out glaze and shine. Sankheda that apart from its being an old-established house-
in Baroda district is famous for lacquer work on hold industry and the employment it offers to
wooden furniture and toys which are rubbed about a thousand families in Cambay and Jha-
with agate after tin is applied to them. gadia areas, agate is a foreign exchange earning
commodity which deserves active consideration and
9.4 The fortunes of agate industry of Cam bay help for its immediate revival against heavy odds .
•
PLATE NOTES
With a view to have a clear understanding and present a realistic picture of various techniques and processes invol-
ved in the working of agate stones from raw to finished stage, the monograph is supplemented with some representative illustra-
tions by way ofline drawings, photographs and maps. Besides 1 I such illustrations given along with the text, the various
techniques and finished products have been represented at plates I to XXI. The plates are broadly subdivided into tl:e
following two categories :
A. Techniques and processes ; - Plates I to XV illustrate different techniques and processes from mining roundabout Jhagadia
to making of finished articles at Gambay and cover some of the latest mechanised processes also.
B. Finished products ; - Plates XVI to XXI show finished products. Artistic pieces of Gambay agates in the possession
of local dealers or exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay and the Museum at Baroda have also been reproduced
in this section.
(a) MINING
PLATE
Agate Mining, Ratanpor, Jhagadia taluka, Broach district
II An Adivasi quarry worker at Ratanpor
V Gutting "buffalo horn by a circular saw worked by electric motor for making horn-headed hammer
(e) POLISHING
VIn A polisher on hand-operated emery wheel with bow and string, an earthen bowl and different types of .hand-
made polishing discs showing the extent of polish acquired by each
33
PLATE NOTES
34
(f) DRILLING
XI A Driller at work
2 Moments of Relaxation
I A chariot
2 A cannon
*3 A finely polished bowl
*4 An exquisitely worked jug (late Mogul) 18th century A.D.
5 Pestle and mortar
*6 A liquor cup of jade (Mogul) 18th century A.D.
*7 Jade box studded with imitation jewels (Mogul) 17th century A.D.
*8 Dagger hilt of j~de inlaid with semi-precious stones (Mogul style)
*. . 9 Leaf shaped necklace
*'" 10 Dice representing figures of king, minister, soldiers, elephants, horses and camels
XVIII Pieces of Cambay Agates exhibited at Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay
Stationery, buttons and other articles made of agate, viz., seal, ink pot, knife, toilet box· with mirror,
snuff boxes, penholder, fork, paper cutter, whistle, cigarette holder and key chain
2 Agate spoon
XIX An idol of Lord Krishna; a toy for an infant; a spoon and a cigarette holder
2. Hand-made polishing discs, earthen water bowl and bow with string
PLATE IX
2. Fixing round beads between wooden clamps 3. Indenting grooves on Porbandar stone
PLATE X
Polishing in barrels
'PLATE XI
1. A driller at work
2. Moments oj Relaxation
PLATE XII
PLATE XIII
PLATE XIV
Mechanical Unit in Operation
1. Stone-cutting
2. Hollowing
PLATE XV
Mechanical Unit in Operation-contd.
II
1. Drilling
2. Polishing in a drum
PLATE XVI
/
PLATE XVII
,i
~ \
I
~.
J
\-
3
; ,/; . 5
, I
/
,........
(
;+..;,
, '4'
%;
6
"7
ttl'ttitl 10
PIECES OF CAMBAY AGATES EXHIBITED AT THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM, BOMBAY
2. Agate spoon
PLATE XIX
.~
PLATE XX
1. Necklaces of agate
Working on Agate Stones Cambay 446 2,903 1,515 1,388 739 707 32
(Manufacture of ornaments
and ornate articles)
TABLE n
Distribution of Artisans by Community
Number of families
Number working in own
of villages! Approximate Total No. of workers houses or in work- Number of families
Name of Caste or towns No. of shops set up by their working under
Community Surveyed families Persons Males Females employers cooperation§
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
§ There is no society of workers. But one cooperative society is functioning at Cam bay to work agate mines
at Jhagadia and supply raw materials to its members.
• 'Others' includes Bania, Rajput, Panchal, Barot, Dudhara, Brahmakhsatri, Kama, Parekh, Vaghari, Prajapati,
Suthar, Brahmin, Chavda, Darji, Chhopara, Garasia, Khalasi, Kharva, PakhaIi, Soni, Sadhu.
37
38
TABLE m
Distribution of Articles by Material used
II DECORATIVE ARTICLES
IV OTHERS
Dice Gujarat
Polishing stone (Opni) } Carnelian Gujarat, Madras
Shivling Phatak
Door knob
Cupboard and
Door handles
} Jasper Gujarat, Aurangabad ..
• The artisans within a radius of five miles of Cambay Town namely Nana-Kalodra, Nasral Ka1i l'alavadil
~akkarpur, Kansari, NeJa and Qhh~tardi are also enlfaged in drilling operatiolll,
39
TABLE IV
Designs
Middlemen Other
Name of the Name of Tradi- Self- who under- Design Cooperative sourees
articles designs tional designed take marketing centres sales societies (Specify)
2 3 4- 5 6 7 8
I Beads 1 Modan
2 Dol
3 Tasbi
4 Karela
5 Dholak
6 Atth Pahel
Modan
7 Kandora
8 Supda
9 Loi
10 Chakkar
11 Gulli
12 Pahludar dol
13 Gokhrudar dol
14 Chamakali dol
15 Almond shaped
16 Spear head shaped 446
17 Chhasai
IS Badami
11 Decorative 1 Birds
articles 2 Animals
3 Ac:quatics
III Stationery 1 Square
articles 2 Round
IV Others 1 Dice
2 Shivling
3 Door knob
4- Cupboard and
Door handle
TABLE V
#6 .. 446 None
40
TABLE VI
IV Others
f Grinding 6.50
TABLE VB
TABLEVDI
Number of workers
S1.
No. Type of operation 1850 1878 1960-61
2 3 4 5
Polishers
(a) on rough stones (Dolia) 200 100 100 t
(b) on wooden frame (Pattimars) 50* 50*
(c) on electrically operated emery wheel 15 §
2 Drillers 100 100 303 t
Figures for the year 1850 and 1878 have been extracted from the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Vol.VI, (1880) p. 203
Note:-
t Includes Dolias working at different villages roundabout Cam bay
* The Number of polishers shown here are patti mars working manually
§ Includes polishers from 5 households working on electrically operated machines
t Includes drillers working at different villages roundabout Cambay
41
TABLE IX
TABLE X
Category of workers
Investment on tools and
Size of establishments Number of households Family workers Hired workers Total implements (In Rs.)
2 3 4 5 6
TABLE XI
Age group Earner Non-Earner Total Earner Non-Earner Total Earner Non-Earner Total
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TABLE XIII
TABLE XDl-contd.
Tools and Implements used in Different Operations and Techniques
Sl. Value Age of article
No. Name of the operation Tools and implements used (Rs. nF.) (in years and months)
2 3 4 5
III Breaking and shaping Total 35.61
Pointed iron rod 5.00 3 years
Horn-Hammer 0.37 15 days
Small iron hammer 0.25 1 month
Numberless spectacles 0.87 3 years
Finger-wrappers of cloth rags (negligible)
Iron Hammer 4.00 5
File 1.00 1 "
month
Porbandar stone 1.00 5 years
Pincer 1.00 6 months
Scale and Balance 20.00 10 years
Basket 0.12 I month
Sieve 0.50 6 months
Tin container 1.50 3
"
IV Grinding Total 21.12
(a) Hand grinding Whet stone 5.00 ! month
Wooden bench 15.00 5 years
Bow with leather string 1.00 1 year
Water pot 0.12 I month
(b) Machine grinding Total 620.24
Electric motor 1 H. P. 350.00 10 years
Axle, pulley, belts, etc. 100.00 10
Emery wheel14"x 2" 95.00 "
2 months
12" x 2" 40.00 2
Wooden stool 35.00 "
5 years
Clay pot 0.12 1 month
Basket 0.12 1
Drilling
"
Total 19.73
Cocoanut shell (negligible)
Bow with cotton string 0.50 6 months
Clay pot 0.37 6
Wooden frame and iron ring 5.00 2 years
Wooden stand 0.75 6 months
Iron spoke 0.12 2 years
Steel drill 0.75 2 months
Wooden stand 3.00 2 years
Pointed file 2.00 3 months
Pincers 1.00 6
File ].00 2 "
Hammer 4.00 5 "
years
Clay pot 0.12 I month
Basket 0.12 1
Wooden seat 1.00 "
1 year
VI Polishing
Total 21.12.
(a) Polishing on whet stone Whet stone 5.00
by manual operation Wooden bench
i month
15.00 5 years
Bow with leather string 1.00 1 year
Clay pot 0.12 I month
Total 925.50
(b) Polishing by mechanical Elecrtic motor 500.00 5 years
operation Pulley and belts 200.00 5
Barrel (copper) 100.00 10 "
Barrels (two) of galvanised tin 28.00 1 year "
Leather bags 10.00 1
Tin containers 1.50 "
3 months
A-6
44
TABLE XIV
Ornamental Pieces
Necklace-beads of various shapes,
e.g., round (big and small), square,
Different types of
Carnelians, Margaj
Different colours
orange, red, greyish white
like ,"x 2"
triangular, oblong, hexagonal, (Jade ), Jasper, Raja- with dark veins, dark with
decagonal, octogonal, oval, etc. varat, Phat1'1k, white veins, yellow half-clear,
Mansur, Karla dull cloudy brown, fleshy
colour, liver brown, green
(a) Earrings Ii" to Z"
" "
(b) Buttons (shirt and coa t) 1" to ,"
" " (Diameter)
(c) Pieces of stones (Nagina) for setting 1" to ,"
in rings of various shapes " " (Diameter)
(d) Pieces for bracelets, wristlets and armlets l"t02"X l"x2"
" "
(e) Lockets !" to 2"
" " (Diameter)
II Decorative Articles
Stones for setting them in snuff box I" to 2"
Birds like parrot, sparrow, and dove
"
Margaj (Jade)
"
Green I,' to 2"
Animals like horse, elephant, camel I" to 6'
Acquatics like tortoise, crocodile, fish
" " I" to 6"
" "
Ash-trays Jasper Red-brown 2" to 21'
(Diameter)
Flower vases 4" to 6"
" "
III Stationery Articles
Pen-holder 4· to 6"
Pen-rack
" " Z· to 21"
Ink-stand
" " Z' to 21'
Paper weight
" " 2" to 2,"
Paper cutter
" " 4" to 6"
" "
IV Others
Dice Carnelian Orange and Red 2" to 2!"
Polising stone (Opni) Veined agate Cloudy Brown 5" to 6"
Shivling Carnelian and Phatak Orange, yellow, half- I" to 2"
clear, greyish white
Door knob and cupboard handles Jasper Red-brown I" to 2"
Door-Handle 4" to 6"
" "
Pestle and Jasper and Red with white streaks 6" length
Carnelian 3f" breadth
Ht. 4" length 131"
Mortar depth,2i"
circumference: 32' (upper)
{
" Ill" (bottom)
Noll : -
The value of quantity produced as described in Column No.2 is estimated atRs. 1,000,000 to 1,200,000
45
TABLE XV
Distribution of Raw Material, Production and Labour charges by type ot Stones used
TABLE XVI
Wage Structure and Working Hours according to Different Types of Operations
Average daily working hours
Type of operation Unit Rs.nP. Wages paid Busy Slack Remarks
2 3 4 5 6
Mining Baskets of 3.00 (Agate pebblesoflow quality) 8.00 The working of mines
351bs. is closed in monsoon
5.00 (Agate stones of high quality)
2 Chiselling and Pieces 100 2.00 Modan or Kandora 8.00
shaping 100 0.50 Ornamental pieces
" 100 3.00 Loi
"
3 Grinding Lb. 3.00 Round 8.00 6.00
Pieces 100 4.00 Modan
100 5.00 Kandora
" 100 2.00 Ornamental pieces
Lb." 5.00 Loi
4 Polishing Std. Md. 40.00 Any variety 10.00 8.00 Machine operated esta-
blishments work for
more than 15 hours
5 Drilling Pieces 100 2.00 Red
100 3.00 Fancy colours 8.00 6.00
" 100 5.00 Modan-Kandora (Red)
" 100 8.00 to 10.00 (Fancy colours)
" Md. 300.00 Loi
Std. "
TABLE xvn
Distribution of Families according to Income
Income Range
(In Rs.) No. of households Percentage to total
1 2 3
100-200 2 0.45
201-500 38 8.52
501--800 102 22.87
801-1000 103 23.10
1001 and above 200 44.84-
Income unspecified 1 0.22
AGATE INDUSTRY OF CAMBAY
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
HANDIORAFTS SURVEY
I TEXTILES
(i) WEAVING
Cotton
(a) Handloom Cotton I Kanodar Palanpur Banaskantha
Fabrics 2 Dholka Dholka Ahmedabad
3 Cambay Cambay Kaira
(b) Sujani Weaving Broach Broach Broach
Silk
(a) Atlas I Jamnagar Jamnagar Jamnagar
2 Surat Choryasi Surat
(b) Silk Patola Patan Patan Mehsana
(c) Silk Brocade Surat Choryasi Surat
or Tanchhoi
(d) Mashru Patan Patan Mehsana
Zari
(a) Zari Surat Choryasi Surat
(b) Zari Brocade 1 Jamnagal' Jamnagar Jarnnagar
2 Nardipur Kalol Mehsana
3 Ridrol Kalol Mehsana
4- Surat Choryasi Surat
Wool
Woollen Blankets 1 Savarkundla Savarkundla Bhavnagar
2 Chhaya Porbandar Junagadh
3 Rabiya Porbandar Junagadh
4 Mankuva Bhuj Kutch
5 Dholka Dholka Ahmedabad
6 Aniali (Bhimjibhai) Dhandhuka Ahmedabad
(ii) DYEING AND PRINTING
(a) Baudhani : Tie and Dye 1 Jarnnagar Jamnagar Jarnnagar
2 Anjar Anjar Kutch
3 Bhuj Bhuj Kutch
4- Vas ana (Dolarana) Dehgam Ahmedabad
(b) Block Printing 1 Rajkot Rajkot Rajkot
2 Anjar Anjar Kutch
3 Bhuj Bhuj Kutch
4 Deesa Deesa Banaskan tha
5 Vadnagar Kheralu Mehsana
6 Vasana (Dolarana) Dehgam Ahmedabad
7 Kaira Mehmedabad Kaira
8 Gandevi Gandevi Surat
9 Mandvi Mandvi Surat
(c) Roughan Printing Rajpur Deesa Banaskan th a
(d) Screen Printing Jetpur Jetpur Rajkot
2 Ahmedabad Ahmedabad City Ahmedabad
(e) Khari Printing Baroda Baroda Baroda
(iii) CROCHET WORK (Bora Cap)
Jarnnagar Jamnagar Jamnagar
49
HANDICRAFTS SURVEY
50
II METAL
(ii) IRON
(a) Scale Making Sal"arkundla Savarkundla Bhavnagar
III JEWELLERY
IV CERAMICS
V WOOD WORK
(i) FURNITURE
Patara Making Bhavnagar Bhavnagar Bhavnagar
VI IVORY
VII STONE
IX MISCELLANEOUS
X GENERAL·
• No Schedules have been canvassed for these handicrafts which have been surveyed in a general way.
Note :-
The following are the handicrafts selected for special study by the Superintendent himself:
1 Agate industry of Cambay 2 Jari industry of Sur at
3 Silk weaving of Surat 4 Tie and Dye Bandhani of Jamnagar
5 Lacquer work at Sankheda 6 Block printing at Jetpur
7 Patara making at Bhavnagar 8 Embroidery and bead work
9 Wood carving 10 Pottery
A-7
APPENDIX II
CAMBAY
52
INDIAN MANCHESTER 53
levies of Marathas and harassment by Kathis and beads of white-as-milk stone which were sold in
Kolis. By 1797 the English factory was unremu- all parts of the world."
nerative and useless, and in 1818 the British
Resident was withdrawn, and the Collector of At one time its area was said to be 14 square
Kaira made the Agent to the Government. miles, at another time it was twice as big as
Surat, surrounded by fort wall, with buildings
In the ancient and medieval times there were and mansions of brick and stone, beautiful mosques
two principal trade routes in India, viz., (1) through and Jain temples, with well laid streets. But
the ports of Gujarat and (2) through the ports Cambay began to decline in the early 17th century,
of Bengal, which captured all the trade to foreign when the only articles of export which remained
countries such as Persia, Arabia, Safala, China, out of a large variety of items of foreign trade
etc. Various foreign travellers, geographers and was cotton and silk textiles. Causes for the
merchants, have described Cambay as one of the decline of Cam bay were many. Apart from the
greatest and richest cities of India, a position silting of the head of the Gulf, noticed as early
which it retained till the beginning of the 17th as the 16th century, the competition from Euro-
century. As an important centre of maritime pean companies-Portuguese, Dutch, British and
activity on the western coast of India, it enjoyed transference of maritime trade to place like Diu,
the same position that Bombay and/or Calcutta Goa and SUrat were to a large extent responsible
now do. It was also at Cambay that literature, for the subsequent decline of Cambay. In addition
art, architecture and various industries of the time to the diversion of trade by sea route, the weak-
developed and flourished. Dr. Balkrishna in his ness of the Muslim rulers as a naval power and
('Commercial Relations between India and Eng- European supremacy of the sea also came in the
land (1601 to 1775)" pages 30 to 40, refers to way of Gujarat retaining its export trade through
Cambay in the following terms:- Cambay. The blow that further hit Cambay
the hardest was the construction of B. B. & C. I.
"CAMBAY has been called the 'Indian Cairo'. Railway in 1863 from Bombay to Ahmedabad,
In modern terminology, it can appropriately be that finally sealed all sea and land trade that
styled the 'Indian Manchester' being the conuner- formerly passed through this town and seaport
cial centre of Gujarat, the Lancashire of India. for over 5 to 6 centuries. At present Cambay
From Polemy onward all travellers have attested port has lost all its former glory, because it is
its great wealth,magnificence, and flourishing trade. impossible for large vessels to reach the harbour
This port being one of the greatest and richest which has been silted up. It is now a minor
of all the coast towns in India, merchants resorted port handling only about 225 tons of goods annu-
to it from all quarters of the world. I t was the ally. The only industries that now survives are
home and nursery of all that was best in India. the handicraft of cutting and polishing of precious
The workmanship of its inhabitants in weaving and semi-precious stones like rubbies and sapphi-
and dyeing in embroidery as well as curious res, the unmatched art of working on Akik (agate
works of art, made of wood, metal, ivory, amber, stones) and weaving on handlooms and power
horns of sea-horses, and various kinds of stones looms. The weavers of Cambay are skilled workers.
waS the wonder of the world. There were found They have preserved their former reputation for
all kinds of cotton and silk manufactures, perfumes, manufacturing fine varieties of silk and cotton
innumerable things of ivory, beautiful woodwork textiles and produce brocade or Jari Kasab Saries,
of all kinds, bedsteads of all colours, works of art as well as Nylon and Crystal Nylon saries to suit
made of coral, as well as agates, carnelians, onyxes, modern tastes. There are also one textile mill
and other precious stones, delicate cushions, quilted known as Shubh Laxmi Mill, an oil mill, three
cloths, canopies of delicate workmanship, beautiful ginning factories and three saw mills. Camba y
paintings, shields made of tortoise-shells which came suddenly into prominence in recent times
were It wrought and inlaid very workmanlike," when it was placed on the oil map of India by
fair signets, rings, buttons, handles of knives, and the recent find of petroleum and natural gas. By
54 APPENDIX II-CAMBAY
31st May 1962, 33 pin points were drilled and ficent temples in white marble at Dilwara near
27 wells were completed and 8 more' pin points Mount Abu in the thirteenth century is still
were proposed to be drilled in the year 1962·63. preserved in a very good condition. There are
Cambay is well known also for its sweets, VIZ., other old Jain temples as well. The Parasnath
Sutarfeni, Halvasan, etc. temple dating back to 1526 is in two parts, one
of them being underground. One of the old
Being an important centre of Jainism since temples is said to have been founded by the well
olden times, Cambay possesses four important known Jain Acharya Hemachandrasuri. The
collections of palm leaf manuscripts and works old Juma Masjid said to have been built in the
on Jainism. The Shantinath temple has very beginning of 14th century JIleasures 200 feet by
valuable old manuscripts and palm leaves written 210 feet and its inner court is 120 feet by 135
by various Jain Sadhus and their disciples. An feet. Its plan and arrangements are similar to
imporant manuscript written on palm leaves in his those of the Altamesh Mosque at Ajmer, but the
own handwriting by the well known Jain warrior three arches are plain and low to suit the Jain
statesman Divan Vastupal and builder of magni- pillars inside, which form a picturesque whole.
APPENDIX III
55
56 APPENDIX III--BAWA GHOR, BAWA SABAN AND SARANESHWAR MAHADEV
construction which is believed to be the remains But on account of increasing Muslim residence in
of the former residence of Bawa Saban. From the area surrounding this temple, it was decided to
the name of 'Saban Talavadi', it can be presumed shift it to Some safe Hindu locality. The Brahmin
that he preferred for his residence and later his Committee set up under the presidentship of Shri
factory a place near the seashore from where he Bhaskaranand Saraswati therefore transferred the
could carryon business by sea. symbol of Shiva from Bhatt Sheri to its present
site near Gavara, opposite vegetable market. This
(c) SARANESHWAR TEMPLE temple was constructed in Samvat 1960 on
the eighth day of the month 'Shravan', as can be
The origin of the word '~R~.J!l\' can be seen from the inscription on the main entrance
traced out from t Raghuvansha' where there is a refe- to the temple. Three acres of land stand in the
rence that I1fal: ~,orr~: which means 'a jewel name of this temple at village Khanpur ofDholka
ground ,on a whetstone'. In the present Bhatt street taluka. Swami Adwaitanand of Dholka looks
where there was a concentration of grinders ~6m after the temple. There is a fine wooden carved
workers on grinding wheel had erected a temple seat of Swamiji in the open verandah where
of Shiva and named it Saraneshwar, i.e., the he gives religious discourses whenever he visits
deity of those working on Saran or grinding wheel. this place.
APPENDIX IV
A..:...Terms and Conditions for the Grant of Mining Lease by Government of Gujarat *
The grant of the Mining lease is subject to (e) The lease shall be subject to the provi-
the terms and conditions mentioned below: sions of (i) The Mines and Minerals (Regulation
and Development) Act, 1957 (67 to 1957) (ii) the
(a) Mining lease shall be in respect of agate rules in Chapter IV of the Mineral Concession
stones only. If any other minerals are found in asso- Rules, 1960 and (iii) the Mineral Conservation and
ciation with this mineral they should be brought Development Rules, 195B.
to the notice of Government and if the lessee
desires to mine these minerals along with this/ (f) The lessee shall furnish to the Collector
mineral he should do so only after the consent of Broach an accurate map of the area sanc-
of the State Government is obtained in writing. tioned duly attested by him. The Collector is
authorised to get the map prepared after demar-
(b) Royalty at the rate of twenty per cent cation of the area if the applicant so desires and
of the sale price at the pit's mouth or the dead recover the cost from the deposit of Rs. 500/- paid
rent at Rs. 25/- (Rupees Twenty five only) per for preliminary expenses.
mineral per annum or part thereof, per hectare
(2 acres and 2,280 sq. yards) or part thereof, which- (g) The lessee shall pay to the Collector of
ever is greater shall be charged provided that Broach necessary security deposit of Rs. 1,000/- for
the dead rent shall not be payable for the first due observance of the terms and conditions of
year of the lease. the lease in accordance with Rule 32 of the Mine-
(c) Surface rent and water rate at such rate ral Concession Rules, 1960, before the lease is
not exceeding land revenue, water rate and cesses issued to him.
assessable on the land shall be charged.
(d) If beryl or any other substance prescribed (h) The lessee shall submit confidentially
under Section 3 of the Atomic Energy Act 1948 from time to time or when required progress reports
(No. XXIX of 1948) is found to occur in the to the Director of Geology and Mining, Ahmeda-
property under the lease, the lessee shall make bad or an officer authorised by him along with
available such mineral to the Government 6f analysis and representative samples of the ores
India. collected during the mining operations.
• Gujarat Government Gazette Part IV.C, 16th December 1960
57
APPENDIX IV-contd.
B-Prospecting Licence
4- The licensee shall make available to the 9 The licensee shall allow any officer authow
Government of India beryl or any other substance rised by the Central or the State Government to
prescribed under Section 3 of the Atomic Energy inspect at any time the area covered by the pros-
Act, 1948 (No. XXIX of 1948) if they occur in pecting licence as also any accounts, plans and
the property under the licence. records maintained by him.
5 The licence shall be subject to the pro- 10 The licensee shall, before licence is issued
visions of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and to him, deposit as security a sum of Rs. 200/- for
Development) Act, 1957, the Mineral Concession each square killometre or part thereof the area
Rules, 1960 and the Mineral Conservation and covered under the licence, for due observance of
Development Rules, 1958. the terms and conditions of the licence.
6 If any other mineral is traced during the JI The licensee shall engage a qualified
course of prospecting, the licensee shall report geologist or a mining engineer to conduct its pros-
about the same to the Director of Geology and pecting methodically and
Mining, Ahmedabad and shall not work such
mineral without prior permission of Government 12 The licensee shall not give any ore-raising
in writing. contract during the prospecting stage.
58
APPENDIX V ,
A-List of Raw agates, Semi-finished and Finished articles of Agates kept in
the Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay
59
A-8
APPENDIX V-LlST OF RAW AGATES
60
Note:
(1) All the articles are from Cambay
(2) The total cost is Rs. 1429.25 nP.
(3) Some old photos depicting craftsmen at work itl the former days are kept in the Museum
(4) Implements:
1 Hammers made of horn for skinning agate (wooden handle with horn rod)
2 Small hammers for making agate beads (wooden handle with pointed iron nails)
3 Iron spikes for making beads made of
4 Wooden apparatus for boring
5 Wheels for polishing agates (Iron discs) and wooden lathe for cutting and polishing agates
6 Instrument used in agate industry (wooden)
7 Apparatus for holding water pot
Source Curator, Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay
APPENDIX V-contd.
M. No.
1 648 Agate crescent of yellowish colour 10 632 Agate stool, octagonal with legs
(Cambay) 11 639 } (Old Indian)
2 619 Agate bowl, carved, with two handles 12 640 3 agate dice
(Old Indian) 13 642 "
3 629 Agate cup small, carved, pale-green 14 647 agate Sogta
15 "
(Old Indian) 636 }
16 637 3 agate dice
4 617 Agate bowl, plain, greenish yellow 17 638 "
(Old Indian) 18 646 agate Sogta
5 627 Agate cup, plain 19 643
"
"
6
7
8
630
626
628
do
Agate cup, green blood-stone
Agate plate
"
)l
20
21 645 I
644 3 agate dice
"
9 631
"
" " "
Source: Director, Museum and Picture Gallery, Baroda
APPENDIX V-concld.
Particulars
Dimensions
Raw materials Place of
SI. Specimen used manufacture/ Height Breadth Depth Date of
No. No. Description processing (C. ms.) Colour collection
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MI 22303 String of Sardonyx Cut in Beads (22) 1 diameter Fluted Brown/ Prior to 1864,
beads Agate India about White presented by
R. G. Hennell
2 MI22384 Cup and Moss Agate Manufactured Cup: 3.5 c.m. 5.2 C.m. Green/ Prior to 1864,
Saucer at Cambay Redl presented by
brown Lieut. Winscow
-do- -do- Saucer: I C.m. Diameter .. Green/red -do-
8.7 C.m.
Gl
APPENDIX VI
Different Types of Articles Manufactured from Agate and
sold in the Market in the Past and at Present
SI. Articles produced in the past 81. Articles produced at present Market
No. Market No.
IV OTHERS
Dice
Saucers, cups, bowls, spoons, knives, POlishing stone (Opni)
knife-handles, sogtha baji Shivaling
Backgammon Door knob
Cupboard and Door handle
Chess Pestle and Mortar
Dice
Silk winder
Hookah pipe
Cigarette holder
Polishing stone (Opni)
Pestle and mortar (Kharal)
Crochet needles
Watch stand
Brace & shirt studs
Whistle
Mariner'. cOmpass
APPENDIX VII
Unstructured Biographies
BIOGRAPHY NO. I
63
64 APPENDIX VII-UNSTRUCTURED BIOGRAPHIES
My marriage took place when I was 12 My wife expired before 20 years as she
months old, i.e., it was child marriage or craddle- suffered from T.B. and tumour. My daughter
marriage. The expenditure on marriage in those Shanta and two of my brothers were also victims of
days came to Rs. 50/- to 60/-. In our caste we have this disease. I suffered from illness four times and
to pay Rs. 16/- to the parents of the bride, while was also a victim of T.B. and tUlllour.
the bridegroom party has to pay to the bride Rs.
32/-. The value of money paid to the bride even Method of Working, Wages and Living Conditions
today is very nominal, as dowry is not to be Past and Present
paid, and hence the term 'kanku-ni-kanya', which
means that the bride is given in marriage with- In the past, the merchants were giving Rs. 100/-
out taking any dowry and simply placing a red in advance to artisans like me. Sometimes when
mark on the forehead of the bride. My mother needed, minor sums ofRs. 3/- or 5/- were also given
was reminding me that the marriage expenses of on loan to artisans by the merchants to purchase
my two brothers came to Rs. 75f- only. grains and other necessities of life. Because of
getting money in advance and working at least
Because of the concentration of our caste in according to their convenience, the artisans were
Cambay, two of my daughters and one son afe happy as they led a very simple life .and the
married here. The husband of my elder daughter standard of living low. There was only one shop
namely Savita was working in a weaving factory. of betel leaves near Gawara and one. hotel of
T. B. kept her in bed for 3 years but Dr. Cooper Ravjibhai where a big cup of tea was charged one
operated on her lungs. After this operation she pice only. There were only two cloth shops,
survived for 7 years. She expired ten years ago. where four pieces of dhoti of short breadth, (Ifoft&)
She waS a helping hand to her husband as she each of 4 to 5 yards were sold in one rupee.
was earning something by miscellaneous labour. Fried food like puri, sweet Malpuva and Bhajiya
were sold 8 lbs. a rupee and a pair of shoes cost
My younger daughter Kamala is happy in Rs. 0.50 nP. only.
the sense that she is also earning by doing Some
miscellaneous labour and her husband Dahyalal In those days, eighteen varieties of agate
is working as a grinder in a diamond factory. beads were offered for grinding and polishing but
Her son Amritlal was very eager to study further now only the following main varieties are given
after his matriculation but on account of shortage for grinding and polishing at the rates mentioned
of finance he has dropped the idea and has regis- against each.
tered his name in the Employment Exchange at
Ahmedabad. S1. Rate of grinding
No. Variety Unit and polishing
My son Shankaralal has passed vernacular I Round beads pieces 100 Rs. 2.00 (Approxi-
5th standard. He is now earning Rs. 1-50 to 2-00 mately one seer)
per day by making bidi on piece wages. Prior 2 Oblong beads )' Rs. 5.00
to that he got a job in weaving establishments, 3 Nagina (orna- Rs.2.00
he did not care for it) today he is after a job. mental pieces)
"
4 Square beads ". Rs. 4.00
Birth and Death
5 Loi B. Md. Rs. 100.00 to 160·00
My wife gave birth to 3 sons and 4 daughters,
Position of Traditional Artisans and }{,W
out of whom 2 sons and 2 daughters expired
Entrants
shortly after delivery. My son, Shankar alaI has
also lost 2 of his sons (aged 4 and 5 respectively) All the existing establishments of agate indu-
in fever and whooping cough. stry are owned by Muslims, Patidars and Ranas
MAKING OF EMERY WHEELS 65
from the time of their forefathers. But Pinjaras sing this building, I stayed in a rented building
and Rajputs who were formerly hired workers in for a period of five years. After purchasing the
this industry are now working independently and house, I have spent Rs. 500/. for its repairs.
having their own establishments. Since last 60 years I stay in the same house
which has tiles on the floor and country tiles
The ancestors of Kachhiyas, who are grain on the roof.
merchants today were working formerly as patti-
Making of Emery wheels
mar (polisher). Ten of them were working on
hand-operated emery wheels. There were 200 The electric motor for grinding and polishing
Dolias and they were working at the rate of Re. has been introduced since last more than 10 years.
0.12 nP. for the whole day and were also supplied In spite of this mechanisation, at this age even,
by their employers with bread and pickle. I still now I can earn Rs. 2/- per day single-handed by
remember that 'Dolias' were working separately working on hand-operated emery wheel. I, my-
for day and night shift, which indicates the pros- self, prepare the emery wheels by preparing a
perity which this industry attained in the past. kind of mixture called @l'T~T prepared by mixing
lac and a kind of emery stone. Fifty years ago,
In the days by-gone, there were about 500 the rate of this stone was Rs. 4/- per deshi maund
hand.operated emery wheels used for grinding but today the rate is Rs. 3/- per lb. and hence
and polishing in the different localities of Cambay. emery discs which are discarded by merchants are
purcha.sed from them at the rate of Rs. 0.75 nP.
Locality No. of Emery wheels per lb. and powdered to make a paste. Four types
Pakhalivas 100 of emery wheels are used for grinding, smoothening,
Chawk 100 polishing and glazing, each weighing 3 to 4
Ari 100 pounds. In the preparation of emery wheel for
Para 60 polishing the agate beads etc., dried agate
Rangrej Am bali 60 powder falling out at the time of drilling operation
Nana Kumbharwada 25 known as 'vindhar's vadi' ~~Fit CjGl is also used
Scattered in other localities 55 in the lac mixture.
Health and Habits
In each establishment 2 to 5 persons were
working in a group as hired workers. On account of myoId age I generally do
not go out but pass my time with my neighbours
Workshop-cum-dwelling
and worship God. I take tea. From morning
At present I work on the 'otta' in the to evening, I work slowly and at ease. On ac-
front portion of my house. For Rs. 100/- this count of constantly gazing at the agate articles
building was mortgaged by my father to a mer- while grinding and polishing, my eyes have be-
chant who after some years asked to pay back a come weak. Partly due to sedentary nature of
sum of Rs. 400/- including interest. On the day my work which requires constant bending and
of auction I pursuaded him and purchased the physical strain and partly due to old age,
house myself on paying Rs. 400/-. Before purcha- . I experience back-ache and pain in my fingers.
BIOGRAPHY NO. II
Individual and Famity History workers, while one man was rotating it with hand,
the other person sitting opposite was grinding
My birth place is Cam bay. I am 44 or shaped stones on it. In those days if the beads
45 years old now. As for my education, I can were not properly shaped by Bhangiya on hand-
say that I can sign only. My marriage took place operated wheel, they were returned and accepted
in 1933 or 36 in Cambay. Abdul Husen was only after they were properly shaped. Such was
the youngest and Fajal bhai was the eldest of the the special care taken for maintaining the quality
three brothers. Both my married brothers and my of work.
father expired after 1960, because of T. B., an
Efficienc.y and Reputation
ancestral disease in my family. At the age of 14
or 15, I saw the death of my mother. I have 5 In my youth, I was earning Rs. 300/-per month
sons and 3 daughters in my family. I have also by breaking and shaping Gol Modan or round be-
to look after 5 children of my deceased brothers. ads. As regards my work it is said that while shap-
Thus, I shoulder the burden of a joint family of ing and breaking the baked agate stones, the chips
18 persons single handed through the income, I from these stones will be seen fixed in the ceiling
get from working with agate industry. I have no of the roof. People also say that well shaped beads
other source of income like agricultural land, live- worked by me will not make any scratch if~ubbed
stock, etc. I own one pucca house but my bro- on the skin. I work without putting on 'anguthia'
thers' families occupy rented premises. or finger wrappers made from rags and also
without numberless spectacles.
Training in the Craft and its Development
Present Situation
In this industry my father trained me in
shaping of agate stones when I was 10 or 12 years Now, I am trammg my sons and nephews,
old. At that time he was working in breaking so that they can earn their bread in future from
and shaping of agate stones, as 'l1t~l on the this industry. On account of shortage of finance
daily wages of Rs. 1-25 nP. When I was 15 to I have disturbed their education against my will.
18 my father started this industry independently.
Over and above, my two brothers and myself, The rent of the workshop which is near my
my father employed 10 to 12 workers in peak home is Rs. 5/- per month. Moreover, I am of the
season. We were exporting agate articles espe- opinion that like myself, my family members also
cially 'Gol Modan' r\"1li'i ~~ round beads worth should keep up the reputation of doing fine work.
about Rs. 12,000 to 15,000 to Mrica. But on account of the high demand for the agate
articles, the persons of different castes engaged in
In those days ( before 35 years ago), there the work do not care for such a fine shaping and
were 15 to 20 'karkhanas', but today there are electric motor introduced in the grinding operation
more than 60 establishments working indepen- is also partly one of the factors for the deteriora-
dently. There were 15 to 20 Bhangiya establish- tion in the quality of work.
ment in those days, whereas today more than
Health and Habits
200 artisans of different castes are engaged in this
operation. In the absence of electric motor, hand- I do take bidi and pan with a view to
operated emery was in use, engaging 20 to 30 revive freshness and remove my fatigue. When
66
HEALTH AND HABITS 67
I get time, I go to Gawara, a central place of 7.00 p. m. I now shape leaf shaped and square
gathering for citizens, merchants and villagers in agate articles with an average of 150 to 200
the town or go to my friends who reside near beads daily. My total annual production of agate
my house and gossip there. I pay homage to articles comes to 5,000 only, which I sell on
Bawa Ghor. I go to mosque for regular worship. retail basis to customers or on wholesale basis to
the merchants on cash payment. In olden days,
Physically I look healthy but I had been in raw stones were extracted by the merchants from
bed on account of serious illness. Now I experience Jhagadia mines of Rajpipla State after signing
pain in my legs, hands and back during night time the 'theka' or contract for that purpose with the
because of continuous squatting on the ground Maharaja of Rajpipla. Formerly the stones were
while at work. I start my work at about 8 a.m. brought to Cambay by ships and rail, but today
and after my lunch I sit again upto 6.00 or they are mostly brought to Cambay in trucks.
A-9
BIOGRAPHY NO. HI
68
NAGA TRIBES AND AGATE INDUSTRY 69
years in Assam and Nagaland, with one of his beads. Shri Amarsing has also visited NEF A area
Marwari friends, on whose shop agate articles in Lakhimp~r of Subinpur district as my repre-
were sold on retail and wholesale basis. My bro- sentative to sell agate articles. But now on ac..
ther, Amarsing, who has been trained at the age count of China's aggression, he has come back and
of 12 or 13 is visiting Assam and Nagaland since last will revisit after Diwali for this purpose. I wish
five years and stays at Bimapur on Manipur Road. to develop my establishment in the form of a big
Agate articles mainly sold and popular among business firm dealing with agate wares.
tribal people of this region are 'chhasai' oot, an
Leisure, hobby and recreation
oblong shaped agate bead with six edges and <loi'.
These Naga tribes on ordinary days put on their Smoking is not my regular habit but I
necks one necklace of agate beads-chhasai, but take tea. Generally I do not get time for recrea..
on the special occasions like fairs and festivals tion, because I have to look after the working of my
they decorate the necks with more necklaces of workshop, purchase of raw materials and sale of
beads and loi. They never purchase low quality finished products. But when I get time, I go for a
of agate beads and they are prepared to give high walk to the garden, read newspapers and religious
prices for high quality of agate beads. In marriage books and see pictures, drama and games. Before 10
ceremony, the Hindus give golden ornaments to the years ago, I was seriously attacked by brain fever
bride, but the Naga people give necklaces of agate but today I feel healthy.
BIOGRAPHY NO. IV
70
SCHEDULES
ANNEXURES
ANNEXURE I
CENSUS OF INDIA 1961
GUJARAT
Handicrafts Survey
VILLAGE SCHEDULE
PART (A)
General Description of Village
DEscRmE BRmFLY :
2 Population ............................................ .
3 Approximate number of families ............. ..
4 Various sections in the village corresponding
to communities and their names ............. ..
C H
D I
E J
5 Distance from nearest railway station ........... .
(in miles)
6 Distance from nearest main road (in miles) ...
7 Distance from Police Station, Taluka/Mahal
Headquarters (in miles) ................. .
73
74
PART (B)
Artisan Community in the Village (Tribal & Non-tribal)
~----- -.---------------------------------------~------
I I Describe
legends
When did the I A;e ther,e any I ' Ifamilies
Number of
Name of IApproxi-I or myths
't
~~~hl~n:iiiac~?e
I villages In the I Approximate
neighbourhood I Total No. of adult num~:r of
work
ing in own-
mate
artisan
I number current Who were ~he wh~re branch~s of workers I famil~es houses or in
Castel of
on the patrons? How t~IS ~ommum,ty -: workIng workshops set
Community origin live. If so, gIVe( ) Males Females I under,
families of the a Id IS' thOIS erafit'III f'11 up by the'Ir
name 0 VI a~e s
community I
this 'llage?
VI and commumty ______
. cooperatIon employers
1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ._ _ _
2 3 4 5 6 7 B
Non-Tribal
Castel
Community 1 I
2
3
4
5
Tribal
Community 1
2
3 -
4- I
5
1
2
3
4-
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
i5
Describe Production
(Please describe stage by stage and take photographs wherever possible. Photographs
should be supplemented by pencil sketches of surface forms, designs, shapes, colours and processes
on paper, if necessary for sketches of stages.)
17
----------------_.
First stage Second stage Third stage Final and finishing stage
.------~.------'-~
.---------
Tools used (describe tools, give Who make these tools and General description of workshop
pencil sketches and photographs of from where are (use separate sheet of paper,
special tools) they imported? . if necessary)
18 19 20
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
II
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
A-lO
76
PART (C)
" Specially
For Tribal Communities
Handicrafts Survey
HOUSEHOLD SCHEDULE
1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Religion ................................................. ..
Caste ...................................................... .
Sub-Caste ............................................... .
Tribe ..................................................... .
Sub-Tribe ............................................... .
i8
79
Subsidiary I Others
____ I_.4_ 1__1.5__ 1.6 I 1.7 I 1.8 1.9 1.10: 1.11 _______1._12_----_ _1_,1_3_-
.
1.15 When did the persons of your caste/com-
munity come to stay at this village?
3 CAPITAL-DEBT
Please describe one by one each stage of production and take photographs wherever possi-
ble. Photographs should be supplemented by pencil sketches of surface forms, designs and shapes
with colours of articles produced, and line drawing of each process with techniques should also
be drawn on paper, if necessary.
6 TOOLS
Give names of tools used. Describe Who makes these tools I Since how many years has there
tools and give photograph and Price of tools and from where are been an improvement in tools? State
pencil sketches of special tools they imported? type and person or agency suggesting it
1
2
3
.
5
6
7
8
9
10
7 WORKSHOP
2
3
12 ADPITIONAt. NOTES
ANNEXURE In
SL. No .................. .
CENSUS OF INDIA 1961
Handicrafts Survey
FAMILY SCHEDULE
( For practising artisan families)
State Sub-division
District N. E. S. Block (if any) ............................ ..
P. S./Taluk/Tehsil ...................................... .
Village/Town
Locality
1 NAME OF THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
85
86
(n) Hours of work for each occupation
(i) Main
(ii) Subsidiary
4 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED FOR MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY LIVING AWAY FROM IT
Cd) How many times did he visit home village .... ~.............. "" ...................................................................... , ........... ,
in a year and why? ., ....................................................... , .......... .
(e) Remittance (i) Sent by him • • , • • • • • , • f • • , • • • • • • • • • • , • • • f • • f .. f . , . . . . . . . . . . . , .. I • • • I • • ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . "
(a) Local names and English equivalents for the types of articles produced by the family;
(put in serial order in terms of importance with reference to the value to produce)
2 2
3 3
4 4
2 2
3 3
(iii) At present.
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
88
Details of articles produced at present (Use separate sheet for each article)
8 PARTICULARS OF TOOLS
(a) Name of articles produced ... ,.,.,." .............. , ............. , .............. , ................ .
(b) Base material • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
(c)
Price
Name of the tool (local and
english equivalent) Functions of the tool
At the time it was Present market
obtained price
.
A-12
92
(d) Brief description of each tool (pencil sket·
ches, photographs, etc., are to be supple-
mented)
(e) Who makes the tools, names, when and from
where obtained?
(f) (i) Whether the tools are used to the full
capacity?
(ii) . If not, why not?
(g) (i) Is the craftsman satisfied with the tools?
(ii) If not, why not?
(iii) (a) What other tools he desires?
(b) Why is he not having those tools?
(h) Remarks (including whether the tool is
imported from outside India)
(a) Location
(b) Distance from household
Type of operation Names of tools used I Whether working individually I Whether working in groups
93
Remarks
Type of operation Skilled Unskilled Skilled Unskilled Including whether there is
general division of labour
M F M F M F M F
I f I I
I J
(ii) Wage rate for each type of operation and availability of labour
Wage Rate
Skilled Unskilled
Type of Whether compe-
operation tent hands Remarks
are available
Male Female Male Female
Minor
Adult
I
Minor Adult
I
Minor Adult
I Minor Adult
I
I
(iii) Other-wise
(n) Remarks
95
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96
(iii) Container
97
(e) Percentage of total sale and disposal during 1961
Retail Wholesale
-~--
On terms of processing raw
materials supplied by
Outside Outside
From -- From
workshop workshop
To coope- To coope-
Others Others Cooperative Emporium Businessman
ratives ratives
Retail Wholesale
Outside Outside
From workshop From workshop
Cooperatives Others Cooperatives Others
I r
98
(h) Transport
(g) Exported:
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104
17 UNEMPLOYMENT
(a) Name
(b) Age
(a) Sale
Time of Occupation
Type of ~ets
sale Buyer's address of buyer
Area/No. I Sale price
I
I
I
(i) Land
(ii) Livestock
(vi) Investments
(vii) Other assets
Total
105
(b) Purchase
Date of Seller's
Type of assets
I
I
Purchase
Seller's address
occupation Area/No. Sale price
(a) Land
(b) Livestock
(f) Investments
(g) Other assets
Total
GLOSSARY OF LOCAL TERMS
Gabha • Beads not correctly holed and considered as waste at the time of sorting
Gar Medium grade of chipped raw agate
Ghat-ni-saran Lapidary wheel used for giving proper shape to the stone
Ghasiya. A worker on lapidary wheel
Ghodaveh . A bead which is not correctly holed
Ghol J amadavu To feast a particular circle of the community
Giloda or Kandora Bead shaped like a giloda. i.e., (Coccima indica)
Gokhrudar dol Agate bead shaped like long thorny plant
Gol Modan An oblong shaped round agate bead
Goldana A round shaped agate bead
Gulli Circular and thin sized cylindrical beads
Halvasan A kind of sweet made of flour, ghee and sugar which is a speciality of Cambay
Handla Baking of raw agate stones by pot trench method
Jasper Blood·stone
106
107
GLOSSARY OF LOCAL TERMS
Madalia Locket
Malpuva A kind of sweet pancake
Manek . Ruby
Maradia Nail shaped hammer
Mehtaji School teacher
Modan . A square shaped agate bead making four right angles
Nagina. . Round and square ornamental pieces for setting them in rings or buttons
Naram Saran.
.
Lapidary wheel used to make the surface of stone smoother
Opiya A polisher
Otli or Otta A small raised platform
Op Shine or lustre
Opni Polishing stone
Samado. A mixture of lac and emery stone for preparing emery wheels
Samvat . Vikram era
Saran Lapidary wheel
Saraneshwar The patron deity of those working on saran or emery wheel
Saraniya. Worker on whet stone
Saravu . To drill
Sari A driller
Shingadi. A horn-headed hammer for breaking agate stones
Sink A pointed iron spike for chiselling stones into required shape
Sogta Dice
Sphatik stone . Crystal Stone
Supda . A triangular agate bead shaped as a supda (i.e., winnowing fan)
Sutarfeni Spaghetti (Sweet)
Suva Bhaji Moss agate
Takia A Cenotaph
Talavadi A small pond .
Tappa Striking by hammer
Tasbi Small rosary beads
Tavit Talisman
Theka Contract
Tukdi Superior grade of chipped raw agate
DR. BALKRISHNA Commercial Relations between India and England (1601 to (775)
VALERIE SWENSON Stones and Minerals, Maxton Publishing Corporation, New York
SAHNI M. R. . "Agates and other forms of GOOleedonic silica; their Origin, Distribution (Jnd Economic
Possibilities with particular reference to Rajpipla State" Geological Survey of India,
II (4), October 1948
MUKHERJEE S.. "The Mineral Potentialities of Gujarat region and the possibilities for its development in
future, Agate stones" Part II
DR. CHATTERJEE B. K. AND "A historical account of the Agate Industry at Gambay and its distribution in India"
ARBINOA BASt] • Quarterly Journal of Mythic Society, Vol. No. HL. No. 4,January 1961
DR. UPADHYAYA S. C. "Agate Industry at Gambay" Journal of Gujarat Research Society, Vol. No. IV
April 1942
GOVIND KAVI • "KOOmbhat No Hira No Udyog" in "Akhand Anand" Magazine, No.6, April 1960
108
INDEX
--Chalcedonic group of quartzose, 7, 8
A --Silica, 7
Abyssinian Mendicant, Competition from--
--Bawa Ghor, 5, 10 --Synthetic stones manufactured by West
Germany, 6, 27, 31, 32
Akik-Agate-- --European countries, 12 ,
--Rival markets-Local and Foreign, 22
--Alternate uses of, 31 Cooperative Society
--Deposits, 4, 11
--Derivation of term, 7 --formation of, 26, 28
--Geology of, 7 --membership, 26
--Hill,4 --working of, 26
--Industry, 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,21,23, -sCope for expansion, 29, 31
25, 27, 30, 31 Cotton
--Mines, 4 --manufacture of, 2
--Outside Gujarat, 9 --Textiles, 2
--Outside India, 9
--Shape, Size, natural formation, 19 Cutting and shaping, 14
--Sources of supply, 7, 8, 9
--Hill Slopes, 8, 9 D
--Riverbeds, 8, 9
--Varieties of agates, 1, 4, 8, 11 Drilling
Akikiya, 25,26 --Castewise composition of drillers, 17
--Number and type of establishments, 17
Amygdaloidal --Subsidiary occupation, 17, 30
--Basalts, 7 --Technique and operation of, 17
Articles of E
Carnelians GC{I)ogical
--Rajpipla, 9, 10, 13 --investigations, 7
--Varieties of, 1, 2, 7, 8 Gold Control
Chalcedony, 11 --operation of, 22
109
INDEX
H p
Polishing
Haj --Process of, II
--Pilgrim to Mecca, 5 --Leather bag method, 16
Households --Mechanical method, 16
--Pattimar method, 16
--Distribution ::,-~cording to age, sex and Port
caste composition, 28
--Income groups, 28 --Cambay, 2, 3
--International, 5
Housing conditions --Minor, 3
--According to number of fooms and by --of embarkation, 5
tenure status, 30 Process
--Different stages, 12
I
R
Import duty-charges, of 23, 25
Rajavarat
--Sources of supply of, 11
J Raw Material,
--Availability of, 5
Jasper, 7, 8, II --requirement of, 4
--Blood stone, 7, 8, 10 Roughing and smoothing,
--Heliotrope, 7 --Methods and processes of, 15
Jet stone S
--Trade in, 11 Sapphire, 3
Sardonyx, 8
K Seaports
--Centres of trade and commerce, 2, 8,9
Kapadvanj Agate-Sources of supply, 10
Stones
Karkhanedar, 25, 26
--Enterprenurial ability and marketing in- --Location of different varieties of 10
telligence of, 23 --Precious and Semi-precious I 3
--Synthetic, 11,22 ' ,
L --uses of, I
--varieties of stones other than agate worked
at Cambay, 11
Lapidary
--Artistic skill of, 20 T
--Cambay, 6, 10 Techniques
Lothal - --of production, 12, 25
--Excavation at, 2 Tools and implements,
--Availability of, 29
M --Investment by process in, 29
Trade
Maimariam-sources of supply, IO --Cet'lCreof trade, commerce, industry 5 6
--Guilds, 23 ' , ,
Marketing --International trade, 4
--Agency of, 22, 23 --Sea and land, 3
--Past and present markets, 21 --Volume of, 22
--Competition-Local and foreign 22 --Wholesale and retail, 22
--Foreign markets, 21 ' --Past and Present, 22
Mechanisation of craft, 18, 29
-Scope for, 12, 17 V
Mining Veined agates, 10
--Area, II --Sources of supply, 10
--Location, 12 Volume of business, 22
--Number oflease holders, 29
--Number of workers employed in mining --Fluctuations in, 22
29 ' --Nature and extent of business in agate in
--Operations, 11, 12, 28 the past, 22
-Quantity and value of stones excavated W
from mines, 29 Wages
--Paid to miners, 29
o --Piece rate basis, 15, 17, 25, 27
. --Rates by type of processes, 27
Occurrence of agate stones, 7, 8 Weaving
--on handloom and powerioom 3
Organisational pattern,
Works of art made at Cambay, '
--of agate industry, 24, 25
--Wood, metal, ivory, amber, horns of
--of trade guilds and Panchayats, 24, 25 sea-horses, 2
110
LIST OF AGENTS FOR THE SALE OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PUBLICATIONS
AS ON 31-12-1962
AGRA-
Makkala Pustaka Press, Balamandira, Ghandinagar
National Book House, Jeeni Mandi Maruthi Book Depot, Avenue Road (R)
Wadhawa & Co., 45, Civil LiI\es International Book House Private Ltd., 4F, Mahatma
Banwari Lal Jain, Publishers, Moti Katra (R) Gandhi Road
AHMEDABAD- NalTakaranataka Pubns. Private Ltd., Majestic
Circle (R)
Balgovind Kuber Dass & Co., Gandhi Road
Chandrakant Chimanlal Vora, Gandhi Road BEREILLY-
New Order Book Co., Ellis Bridge Agarwal Brothers, Bala Bazar
Mahajan Bros., Opp. Khadia Police Gate (R) BARODA-
Sastu Kitab Ghar, Near Relief Talkies, Patthar Kuva, Shri Chandrakant Mohan Lal Shah, Raopura (R)
Relief Road
Good Companions Booksellers, Publishers & Sub-
AGARTALA- Agent (R)
Laxmi Bhandar Books & Scientific Sales (R) BEAWAR-
AHMEDNAGAR- The Secretary, S. D. College Co-operative Stores
Ltd. (R)
V. T. jorakar, Prop. Rama General Stores, NalTi
Path (R) BHAGALPUR-
AJMER- Paper Stationery Stores, D. N. Singh Road
Book-Land, 663, Madar Gate BHUBANESWAR-
Rajputana Book House, Station Road Ekamra Vidyabhaban, Eastern Tower Room No. 3 (R)
Law Book House, 271, Hathi Bhata (R)
BHOPAL-
Vijay Bros., Kutchery Road (R)
Superintendent, State Government Press
Krishna Bros., Kutchery Road (R)
Lyall Book Depot, Mohd. Din Bldg., Sultania Road
ALIGARH- Delite Books, Opp. Bhopal Talkies (R)
Friends' Book House, Muslim University Market BELGHRIA-
ALLAHABAD- Granthlok, Antiquarian Booksellers & Publishers,
(24 Paraganas) Sf! Amlica Mukherjee Road
Superintendent, Printing & Stationery, U. P.
Kitabistan, 17-A, Kamla Nehru Road BIjAPUR-
Law Book Co., Sardar Patel Marg, P. Box 4 Shri D. V. Deshpande, Recognised Law Booksellers, Pro.
Ram Narian Lal Beni Modho, 2-A, Katra Road Vinod Book Depot, Near Shiralshetti Chowk (R)
Universal Book Co., 20, M. G. Road BlKANER-
The University Book Agency (of Lahore) Elgin Bhandani Bros. (R)
Road
Wadhwa & Co., 23, M. G. Marg (R) BILASPUR-
Bharat Law House, 15, Mahatma Gandhi Marg (R) Sharma Book Stall, Sadar Bazar (R)
Ram Narain Lal Beni Parashad, 2-A, Katra Road (R) BOMBAY-
AMBALA- Superintendent, Printing & Stationery, Queens Road
Charles Lambert & Co., 101 Mahatma Gandhi Road
English Book Depot, Ambala Cantt.
Co-operators Book Depot, 5/32, Ahmed Sailor
Seth Law House, 8719, Railway Road, Ambala
Bldg., Dadar
Cantt. (R)
Current Book House, Maruti Lane, Raghunath
AMRITSAR- Dadaji St.
The Law Book Agency, G. T. Road, Putligarh Current Technical Literature Co. Private Ltd., India
S. Gupta, Agent, Govt. publications, Near P. O. House, 1st Floor
Majith Mandi International Book House Ltd., 9, Ash Lane,
Amar Nath & Sons, Near P. O. Majith Mandi M. G. Road
Lakkani Book Depot, Girgaum
ANAND-
Elpees Agencies, 24, Bhangwadi, Kalbadevi
V~jaya Stores, Station Road, Anand (R) P. P. H. Book Stall, 190-B, Khetwadi Main Road
BANGALORE- New Book Co., 188-190, Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road
The Bangalore Legal Practitioner Co-operative Popular Book Depot, Lamington Road
Sunder Das Gaian Chand, 601, Girgaum Road Near
Society Ltd., Bar Association Building
S. S. Book Emporium, 118, Mount joy Road Princess Street
The Bangalore Press, Lake View, Mysore Road, D. B. Taraporewala Sons & Co. (P) Ltd., 210,
P. O. Box 507 Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Road
The Standard Book Depot, Avenue Road Thacker & Co., Rampart Row
Vichara Shitya Private Ltd., Balepet N. M. Tripathi Pri vate Ltd., Princess Street
List of Agents-contd.
BOMBAY-Contd. CHOCHIN-
The Kothari Book Depot, King Edward Road Saraswat Corporation Ltd., Palliarakav Road
P. H. Rama Krishna & Sons, 147, Rajaram Bhuvan,
CUTTACK-
Shivaji Park Road No. 5 (R)
C. Jamnadas & Co., Booksellers, 146-C, Princess St. Press Officer, Orissa Sectt.
Indo Nath & Co., 24, Bhangwadi, Kalbadevi Road Cuttack Law Times
Minerva Book Shop, Shop No. 1/80, N. Subhas Road Prabhat K. Mahapatra, Mangalabag, P.B. 35
D. P. Sure Sons, Mangalabag (R)
Academic Book Co., Association Building, Girgaum
Utkal Stores, Balu Bazar (R)
Road (R) ,
Dominion Publishers, 23, Bell Building, Sir. P. M. DEHRADUN-
Road (R) Jugal Kishore & Co., Rajpura Road
Dowamadeo & Co., 16, Naziria Building, Ballard National News Agency, Paltan Bazar
Estate (R) Bishan Singh and Mahendra Pal Singh, 318,
CALCUTTA- Chukhuwala
Chatterjee & Co., 3/1 Bacharam Chatterjee Lane DELHI-
Dass Gupta & Co. Ltd., 54/3, College Street
J. M. Jaina & Brothers, Mori Gate
Hindu Library, 69 A, Bolaram De Street
Atma Ram & Sons, Kashmeri Gate
S. K. Lahiri & Co. Private Ltd., College Street Federal Law Book Depot, Kashmeri Gate
M. C. Sarkar & Sons Private Ltd., 14, Bankim Bahri Bros., 188, Lajpat Rai Market
Chatterjee Bawa Harkishan Dass Bedi (Vijaya General Agencies)
W. Newman & Co. Ltd., B, Old Court House Street P.B. 2027, Delhi Ahata Kedara, Chamalian Road
Oxford Book & Stationery Co., 17, Park Street Book-Well, 4, Sant Narankari Colony, P. B. 1565,
R. Chambray & Co. Ltd., Kent House, P. 33, Mission Delhi-9
Road Extension Imperial Publishing Co., 3, Faiz Bazar, Daryaganj
S. C. Sarkar & Sons Private Ltd., IC, College Square Metropolitan Book Co., 1, Faiz Bazar, Delhi
Thacker Spink & Co. (1933) Private Ltd., 3, Esplanade New Stationery House, Subzimandi
Est. Youngman & Co., Nai Sarak, Delhi-6
Firma K. L. Mukhopadhaya, 6/1A Banchha Ram Indian Army Book Depot, 3, Daryaganj
Akrar Lane All India Educational Supply Co., Sri Ram Buildings,
K. K. Roy, P. Box No. 10210, Calcutta-19 (R) Jawahar Nagar (R)
Sm. P. D. Upadhyay, 77, Muktaram Babu Street (R) Dhanwant Medical & Law Book House, 1522,
Universal Book Dist., 8/2, Hastings Street (R) Lajpatrai Market (R)
Modern Book Depot, 9, Chowringee Centre (R) University Book House, 15, U. B. Bangalore Road,
Soor & Co., 125, Canning Street Jawahar Nagar (R)
Government Book Agency, 2646, Balimaran (R)
S. Bhattacharjee, 49, Dharamtala Street (R)
Summer Brothers, P. O. Birla Lines (R)
Mukherjee Library, Sarba Khan Road (R)
Current Literature Co., 208, Mahatma Gandhi Road Universal Book & Stationery Co., 16, Netaji
Subhash Marg
The Book Depository, 4/1, Madan Street (1st Floor) (R)
Scientific Book Agency, Netaji Subhash Road (R) B. Nath & Bros., 3808, Charkhawalan (Chowri
Reliance Trading Co., 46/A, Netaji Subhash Road (R) Bazar) (R)
Rajkamal Prakashan Private Ltd., 8, Faiz Bazar
CHAPRA-
Universal Book Traders, 80, Gokhla Market
Alok Pustak Sadan (R)
Tech. & Commercial Book Coy., 75, Gokhla
CHANDIGARH-
Market (R)
Superintendent, Government Printing & Stationery,
Saini Law Publishing Co., 1416, Chabiganj,
Punjab
Kashmeri Gate (R)
Jain Law Agency, Flat No.8, Sector No. 22
G. M. Ahuja, Booksellers & Stationers, 309, Nehra
Rama News Agency, Booksellers, Sector No. 22
Bazar (R)
Universal Book Store, Booth 25, Sector 22-D
Sat Narain & Sons, 3141 Mohs. Ali Bazar,
English Book Shop, 34, Sector 22-D (R)
Mori Gate
Mehta Bros., 15-Z, Sector 22-B (R)
Kitab Mahal (Wholesale Div.) Private Ltd., 28, Faiz
Tandan Book Depot, Shopping Centre, Sector 16 (R)
Bazar (R)
Kailash Law Publishers, Sector 22-B (R)
Hindu Sahitya Sansar, Nai Sarak (R)
CALI CUT- Munshi Ram Manohar Lal, Oriental Booksellers
Touring Book Stall (R) & Publishers, P. B. 1165, Nai Sarak (R)
CHHINDWARA- K. L. Seth, Suppliers of Law, Commercial & Tech.
The Verma Book Depot (R) Books, Shanti Nagar, Ganeshpura (R)
ii
List of Agents-contd.
DHANBAD-
JAWALAPUR-
Ismag Co-operative Stores Ltd., P. O. Indian School Sahyog Book Depot (R)
of Mines
New Sketch Press, Post Box. 26 (R) JAMSHEDPUR-
Amar Kitab Ghar, Diagonal Road, P. B. 78
DHARWAR-
Gupta Stores, Dhatkidih
Rameshraya Book Depot, Subhas Road (R)
Sanyal Bros., Booksellers & News Agents, Bistapur
ERNAKULAM- Market (R)
Pai & Co., Cloth Bazar Road (R)
JAMNAGAR-
FEROZEPORE- Swedeshi Vastu Bhandar
English Book Depot, 78, Jhoke Road
jODHPUR-
GAYA- Dwarka Das Rathi, Wholesale Books and News Agents
Sahitya Sadan, Gautam Budha Marg Kitab-Ghar, Soj ati Gate
GOA- Choppra Brothers, TripoJia Bazar
Jairam Sagoon Dhoud, Booksellers, Panjim (R) jABALPUR-
GUNTUR- Modern Book House, 236, Jawaharganj
Book Lovers Private Ltd., Kadiguda, Chowrasta jULLUNDUR CITY-
GORAKHPUR- Hazooria Bros., Mai Hiran Gate (R)
Vishwa Vidyalaya Prakash an, Nakhes Road (R) Jain General House, Bazar Bansanwala
GAUHATI- University Publishers, Railway Road (R)
Mokshada PustakaJaya, Gaunati, Assam KANPUR-
GWALIOR- Advani & Co., P. Box 100, The Mall
Superintendent, Printing & Stationery, M.B. Sahitya Niketan, Sharadhanand Park
Loyal Book Depot, Patankar Bazar, Lashkar The Universal Book Stall, The Mall, Kanpur
M. C. Daftari, Prop. M. B. Jain & Bros., Raj Corporation, Raj House, P. B. 200, Chowk (R)
Booksellers, Sarafa, Lashkar (R) KARUR-
GHAZIBAD- Shri V. Nagaraja Rao, 26, Srinivasapuram (R)
Jayana Book Agency (R)
KOLAPUR-
HYDERABAD-
Maharashtra Granth Bhandar, Mahadwar Road (R)
Director, Government Press
The Swaraj Book Depot, Lakdikapul KODARMA-
Book Lovers Private Ltd. (R) The Bhagwati Press, P.O. Jhurnritelaiya, Dt. Hazaribagh
Labour Law Publications, 873, Sultan Bazar (R) KUMTA-
HUBLI- S. V. Kamat, Booksellers & Stationers (N. Kanara)
Pervaje's Book House, Koppikar Road
LUCKNOW-
INDORE-
Soochna Sahitya Depot (State Book Depot.)
Wadhwa & Co., 56, M. G. Road
Balkrishna Book Co., Ltd., Hazaratganj
Swamp Brothers, Khajuri Bazar (R)
British Book Depot, 84, Hazaratganj
Madhya Pradesh Book Centre, 41, Ahilaya Pura (R)
Ram Advani, Hazaratganj P. B. 154
Modern Book House, Shiv Vilas Palace (R)
Universal Publishers (P) Ltd.) Hazaratganj
Navyug Sahitya Sadan, Publishers & Booksellers,
Eastern Book Co., Lalbagh Road
17, Kh,\juri Bazar (R)
I MPHAL- Civil & Military Educational Stores, 106/B, Sadar
Bazar (R)
Tikendra & Sons, Booksellers (R)
jAIPUR CITY- Acqurium Supply Co., 213, Faizabad Road (R)
Law Book Mart, Amin-Ud-Daula Park (R)
Government Printing and Stationery Department,
Rajasthan LUDHIANA (E.P.)-
Bharat Law House, Booksellers & Publishers, Lyall Book Depot, Chaura Bazar
Opp. Prem Prakash Cinema
Mohindra Brothers, Kathceri Road (R)
Garg Book Co., Tripolia Bazar
Vani Mandir, Swami Mansingh Highway Nanda Stationery Bhandar, Pustak Bazar (R)
Kalyan Mal & Sons, Tripolin Bazar (R) The Pharmacy News, Pindi Street (R)
Popular Book Depot, Chouri Rasta MADURAI-
Krishna Book Depot, Choura Rasta (R) Oriental Book House, 253, West Masi Street
Dominion Law Depot, Shah Building, P.B. No. 23 (R) Vivekananda Press, 48, West Masi Street
iii
List of Agents-CQnra.
MATHURA- NANDED-
Rath & Co., Tilohi Building, Bengali Ghat (R) Book Centre, College Law General Books, Station
Road (R)
MADRAS--
Hindustan General Stores, Paper & Stationery
Superintendent, Government Press, Mount Road
Merchants, P. B. No. 51 (R)
Account Test Institute, P. O. 760, Emgore
NEW DELHI-
C. Subbiah Chetty & Co., Triplicane, Madras-5
Arnrit Book Co., Connaught Circus
K. Krishnamurty, Post Box 384
Bhawani & Sons, 8F, Connaught Place
Presidency Book Supplies, 8, Pycrofts Road, Triplicane
Central News Agency, 23/90, Connaught Circus
P. Vardhachary & Co., 8, Linghi Chetty Street
Empire Book Depot, 278 Aliganj
Palani Prachuram, 3 Pycrofts Road, Triplicane
English Book Stores, 7-L, Connaught Circus,
South India Traders, Exporters, Importers, Agents,
P. O. B. 328
and Govt. Booksellers, Rapapettah
Faqir Chand & Sons, IS-A, Khan Market, New
NCBH Private Ltd., 199, Mount Road (R)
Delhi-l
V. Sadanand, The personal Bookshop, 10 Congress
Jain Book Agency, C-9, Prem House, Connaught Place
Building, 111 Mount Road (R)
Oxford Book & Stationery Co., Scindia House
MANDYA- Ram Krishna & Sons (of Lahore) 16/B, Connaught
K. N. Narimhe Gowda & Sons, Sugar Town (R) Place
MANGALORE- Sikh Publishing House, 7-C, Conn aught Place
Suneja Book Centre 24/90, Conn aught Circus
U. R. Shenoye Sons, Car Street, P. Box 128
Uniled Book Agency, 31, Municipal Market,
MANJESHWAR- Connaught Circus
Mukenda Krishna Nayak (R) Jayana Bonk Depot, Chhapafwala Kuan, Karol Bagh
MEERUT- Navayug Traders, Desh Bandhu Gupta Road, Dev
Hind Chitra Press, West Kutchary Road Nagar
Prakash Educational Stores, Subhas Bazar Saraswati Book Depot, 15, Lady Harding Road
Loyal Book Depot, Chhipi Tank The Secretary, Indian Met. Society, Lodi Road (R)
Bharat Educational Stores, Chhippi Tank (R) New Book Depot, Latest Books, Periodicals Sty. &
Universal Book Depot, Booksellers & News Novelles, P. B. 96, COllnaught Place
Agents (R) Mehra Brothers, 50.G, Kalkaji, New Delhi-19
Luxmi Book Stores, 42 Janpath Street (R)
MONGHYR- Hindi Book House, 82, Janpath (R)
Anusandhan, Minerva Press Building (R) Peoples Publishing House (P) Ltd., Rani Jhansi
MUSSOURI- Road
R. K. Publishers, 23, Beadon Pura, Karol Bagh (R)
Cambridge Book Depot, The Mall (R) Sharma Bros., 17, New Market, Moti Nagar
Hind Traders (R)
Aapki Dukan, 5/5777, Dev Nagar (R)
MUZAFFARNAGAR- Sarvodaya Service, 66A-I, Rohtak Road, P. B. 2521 (R)
Mittal & Co., 85-C, New Mandi (R) H. Chandson, P. B. No. 3034 (R)
B. S. Jain & Co., 71, Abupura (R) The Secretary, Federation of Association of Small
Industry of India, 23-B/2, Rohtak Road (R)
MUZAFFARPUR-
Standard, Booksellers & Stationers, Palam Enclave
Scientific & Educational Supply Syndicate
Lakshmi Book Depot, 57, Regarpura (R)
Legal Corner Tikmanis' House-Amgola Road (R)
PATHANKOT-
MYSORE- The Krishna Book Depot, Main Bazar (R)
H. Venkataramiah & Sons, New Statue Circle PATIALA-
Peoples Book House, Opp., Jagan Mohan Palace Superintendent, Bhupendra State Press
Jeevana Pustakalya, 1254/1, Krishnamurthipuram (R) Jain & Co., 17 Shah Nashin Bazar
News Paper House, Lansdowne Building (R) PATNA-
Superintendent, Government Printing (Bihar)
NAGPUR-
J. N. P. Aggarwal & Co., Padri Ki Haveli Raghu
Superintendent, Government Press & Book Depot Nath Bhawan
Western Book Depot, Residency Road Luxmi Trading Co., Padri-Ki-Haveli
The Asstt. Secretary, Mineral Industry Association, Moti Lal Banarsi Dass, Bankipore
Mineral House (R) Bengal Law House, Chowhatta (R)
NANDID- PITHORGARH-
R. S. Desay, Station Road (R) Maniram Punetha & Sons (R)
iv
List of Agents-contd.
POONA- SIMLA-
Foreign
Railway Book-stall holders
SIS. A. H. Wheeler & Co. 15, Elgin Road, Allahabad SIS Education Enterprise Private Ltd., Kathumandu (Nepal)
Gahlot Bros. K. E. M. Road, Bikaner
SIS Aktie bologat, C. E. Fritzes Kungl, Hovobokhandel
Higginbothams & Co. Ltd., Mount Road, Madras
Fredsgation-2 Box 1656, Stockholm-16 (Sweden)
M. Gulab Singh & Sons. Private Ltd. Mathura Road,
New Delhi
v
List of Agents-concld.
vi