top of page

Pottery in Kashmir

Terracotta

Pottery in Kashmir

The art of pottery-making in Kashmir is an age-old tradition that dates back to the prehistoric times. Earliest evidence of pottery and use of terracotta in Kashmir comes from the Neolitihic sites of Burzahom and Gufkral. Pottery-making in the valley has evolved from the early hand-made, coarse artefacts to wheel thrown, burnished and glazed-ware.

The process of pottery-making begins with making clay from a mixture of soil and water. This clay is then thrown on to the wheel which the potter drives by hand, molding the clay into the type and shape of earthenware he wants to create. Special terracotta moulds called Kraer are used to give specific shapes and designs to the ware. Once the object is ready, it is removed from the wheel using a thread called kral pan. The object is then baked at high temperature in a pit or a kiln. The biggest demand for terracotta pottery came from Kashmiri households, where earthenware utensils were primarily used. From large storage vessels (mathh) to eating bowls (chaen), earthenware formed a primary characteristic of a traditional Kashmiri kitchen. Given the fact that these objects did not serve a decorative but a utility purpose, they were usually found in the simplest designs. However, engraved, glazed and painted earthenware were also in use.

Pottery was not limited to kitchenware. Other common traditional terracotta objects found in Kashmir include piggy banks (bug waer), incense stands, candle stands (shama daen), earthen lamps (tsong), vases (guldan) and the earthen pot (kondal) used in the kangri (the traditional Kashmiri firepot). Interestingly, two of the most important instruments of Kashmiri music, tumbaknaer and bam-nout, are also made out of terracotta. In addition, pottery is one of the oldest inventions in the history of mankind, and, as a result, pottery cultures across the world have developed as a specialized activity, with its makers acquiring a distinct social-economic entity. Similar developments can be noted in Kashmir, where pottery-making has developed as a specialized profession performed by only a specific artisan caste group. The potters in Kashmir are called kral who are found across the valley. Patterns of occupational settlements and endogamy were common amongst the krals of Kashmir. Many villages in the valley (Kralpora, Gufkral) are named after this profession.

In Srinagar, neighborhoods of Kralyar, Kral Sangri were once the hub of pottery-making. Many potters today continue to use the title of Kumar (potter in Urdu) in their name.
The museum collection at Meeras Mahal showcases a myriad of terracotta objects, acquired from various parts of Kashmir. These artifacts, mostly items of everyday kitchen use, are testimony to the rich tradition of terracotta use in Kashmir that, with the rise of modern technology and use of metal, is now fading out. This collection consists of different varieties of matths (storage vessels for storing pickles, curd, water), lopun (large storage vessels for storing grains), serving bowls (toer), tea pans (chai pateil), spice grinding basins (naem), large containers (martaban) to jugs (naer), amongst other kitchen items. Traditional fire pots, kangris are woven on an earthen pot with wicker of different grades ranging from very fine to course variety. Terracotta Kangris, called Kang, were also used in villages and are part of this collection. In addition, terracotta musical instruments, oil lamps and toys are also part of this collection.

bottom of page