A century-old craftwork: Horn & Bone Handicrafts, Sambhal, U.P.

Sambhal city is associated with a unique kind of horn and bone craft items that are largely being exported, and are manufactured in Sarai Tarin 4 km away from it (included in Sambhal). Horn and Bone's handicrafts are manufactured in different regions of India, but the craftwork of Sambhal has its own recognition.

Locally known as “SEENGH KA KAAM,” this craftwork is linked with the prime occupation of most of its people. Bones and the horns of the animals are used as the raw material to create the showpieces and the utilities. Presently, the majority of the working population practicing this art form, are involved in making TIKLIS, the button blanks.

The One District One Product initiative of the government of U.P. also recognizes this craftwork for District Sambhal. (Department of MSME, UP)

The town is incomplete without the addressed art form, as it was once Asia’s biggest industry for Horn and Bone craft works. From button blanks, to bangles, photo frames, etc., hundreds of showpieces have been handcrafted here for the past centuries. As claimed by the locals, the art form is around 200 years old. In the starting, only hand-crafted combs were being manufactured and that was the main occupation for the people of Sarai Tarin. Handmade combs of Sarai Tareen were very famous at that time and were supplied all over India.

Sarai Tareen – (Main center of Horn and Bone craftwork)

Sarai Tareen lies on Sambhal – Bahjoi Road which is National Highway no. 51. The bone and horn handicrafts industry has burgeoned over the years. It is estimated that there exist over 1500 to 1800 manufacturing units in Sarai Tareen involved in this craft. The entire family is engaged in the manufacturing process, wherein most people work for daily wages. As per the researcher’s assessment, locals claim that over 80% of the families in Sarai Tareen are involved in handicraft manufacturing. In the present day, a total of ten wards of Sambhal constitute Sarai Tareen, which comprises a total of thirty-one mohallas.

Buffalo horns and bones are used as a source of raw materials which are supplied by meat factories all over the world. Buffalo Horn Tips is used to make many items such as Horn Plates, Horn Buttons, Horn Comb, Horn knife handles, etc. Ox horns are used to make different artifacts and it is mainly supplied from outside states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and other states also.

Born and horn-made handicrafts have their glory and charm in a foreign countries, but this art is somehow being neglected in our country. Horn and bone crafts belong exclusively to a particular place in India i.e, Sarai Tareen. Almost 90% of the working population of Sarai Tareen is engaged in this art, still, a few people know about the place and its art form.

The craftwork has not gained much popularity, due to which the business has now started declining in addition to certain external factors. The need is thus to revive this art, as it has a special power to uplift the economy of its region.

#youcannotavoidhistory

REFERENCES

BOOKS MacGregor, Arthur. 1985.

Bone, Antler, Ivory & Horn: The Technology of Skeletal Materials since the Roman period. London: Croom Helm.