Moradabad – The bronze city of India

Moradabad is one of the most flourishing industrial cities in India. It was created by Prince Murad in 1600 AD and is therefore called Moradabad. It is made up of two words, “Murad” and “Abbot”. Murad is the name of the Prince and Abad means to establish. So, the city established by Prince Murad is Moradabad.

Moradabad is situated on the banks of the Ram-Ganga River, which is a tributary of the Holy Ganges. The city is situated at a distance of 167 kilometers from the Indian national capital ie New Delhi. The city has passed through the hands of several dynasties.

But over the years, it has gained fame for its distinctive brassware industry. It is said that Mohammad Yar Khan was the founder of this industry who came to this place from Afghanistan in 1860 and started the brassware manufacturing unit.

Moradabad is known for its ornamental brass throughout the world. It has the distinction of being the largest exporter of brass in the country. The city is one of the potential cities for innumerable business opportunities and forms a huge center of commerce in India. The brass is exported to North America and Europe. Due to the high level of brassware manufacturing in the city, Moradabad is often referred to as Peetal Nagri, meaning the City of Brass.

Brassware is widely produced in the city. But there are some families who make ornamental brassware which is sometimes coated with lacquer or tin. The utensils are then engraved with intricate designs based on customer demand.

There is a wide variety of products available in Moradabad. You can choose from a brass utensil to the most exquisite decorative elements. Utensils are mainly made up of items that are used for various rituals. These may include the Lota (water pot), Panchapatra (ritual dish), Simhasan or the seat used to place the deity and also the Kanchanthaal (flower dish).

But the product that has put Moradabad on the global platform is definitely the work of Art Metal. The metalworking tradition began during the Mughal period and is still a driving industry. Art Metalwork is a must buy for people visiting this vibrant city. There is a high demand for colored enamels and intricate engravings on metal items.

Art metal items include different products such as busts, decorative gift items, clocks, statues, and utensils. Metal wares designed and developed in Mughal art and representing those times are in higher demand in countries outside of India. These include Itardan (perfume spray), Gulabpash (rosewater sprayer), Aftab (wine or sherbet servers), and the famous hookah.

The reason why they are asked for so much lies in the intricate and beautiful embroidery that they have. These are heavily embroidered and are some of the best in the world and have a wide range of patterns.

Apart from the brassware industry, Moradabad also excels in other cottage industries. Most prominent among these are jewelry made from antlers and bones, kitchen utensils, combs, and wooden sticks.

The manufacturing industry in Moradabad is also installed in some of the homes and these ancillary units help the biggest players in the market. Although industrial activity in the city is flourishing, it is still too labor-oriented.

But regardless, the Brassware Industry in Moradabad is a must-see on the itinerary of people visiting Uttar Pradesh.