Saharanpur: Saharanpur district of UP has its own identity for wood carving not only in India but also abroad. The furniture here is bought with great interest not only in the country but also abroad. There are more than 1000 small and big shops in Khata Khedi Wood Carving Furniture Market of Saharanpur. These shops offer luxurious sofas, attractive dining tables, luxury beds, beautiful dressing tables and chairs and central tables that enhance the beauty of the home.
Carvings are found in every house of Saharanpur
In some areas of Saharanpur, wood carving is seen in every house. This industry not only enhances the pride of the city but also contributes significantly to the country’s economy. Annually, wood carving of Saharanpur brings foreign exchange worth about Rs 800 to 1000 crore to the country. Once upon a time, this business started with a wooden comb, which today is making thousands of designs. The wooden furniture manufactured here is also sold online in small to big markets across the country.
Earlier the work was done in walnut wood.
While talking to Local 18, litterateur Dr. Virendra Azam told that the history of Mughal era carving in Saharanpur is about 400 years old. The artisans who came from Kashmir used to carve on walnut wood. Walnut wood was brittle, so later this work started being done on rosewood and other woods. About 300 years ago, some artisans from Multan used to make wooden combs and carve them, which was called chilli vine. People liked this skill so much that they got this carving installed on the door frames and doors of their houses. Even today this carving can be seen in old mansions.
With time the people of the city adopted this art and developed it into a carving industry. Today about 25 thousand small units are engaged in this work. Apart from this, 35 to 40 firms are making wooden furniture like beds, boxes, cupboards, candle stands, decorative items, rugs, sofas, curtains etc. and exporting them abroad. This industry is active in many areas of Saharanpur including Purani Mandi, Sarai Shahji, Islamia Marg, Pul Kamboh, Jhote Wala, Naya Bans and Khata Khedi.
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If we look at today’s situation, this industry has not only crossed the borders of Saharanpur but also the state and country and has reached abroad. Its demand is very high in foreign countries. However, in the last few years, this business has declined slightly due to circumstances like power crisis, government policies, Corona epidemic and war abroad. Otherwise, this wood industry of Saharanpur has been providing foreign exchange worth about Rs 800 to 1000 crore to the country. It not only contributes significantly to the identity of the city but also to the building of the country.
