The Gazetteers Department

As one of the prerequisites of constructional activity of any kind, the industry is pretty old and has not declined in importance. It s a hereditary occupation of sutars and lobars. In villages, they are engaged either in making or repairing the agricultural implements. Skilled artisans go for furniture making and are hired in house building activities. Despite the gradual replacement of outmoded implements by better machines and availability of finished products, the industry holds its position in the economy of the district.

There were about 1,000 persons in 1951 engaged in carpentry and smithy According to the 1961 Census, the total number of persons working in wood and wooden products is 11,708. Out of this, a considerable number is employed in carpentry. Though in every village there is a carpenter and a blacksmith, the artisans are mostly to be found in towns like Sangli, Miraj, Vita, Islampur and Tasgaon.

Raw materials.—Wood of different kinds, viz., babul, neem and teak forms the main raw material of a carpenter. At Sangli and Miraj there are timber depots and saw mills from where the required material is obtained. Blacksmiths get iron and steel from the markets at Sangli and Miraj. Old tins and scrap metal are utilized for petty repairing jobs. Wood merchants import the material from Karnatak area.

Tools and equipment.—Carpenters and smiths possess tools and implements handed over to them from their forefathers. They are chisel (patashi), saw (karwat), files (kanas), planning machine (ranaha), girmit, etc. A set of tools costs a carpenter about Rs. 200.

Products.—The carpenters make agricultural implements like ploughs, hoes, harrows, bullock carts which have local markets. Four carpenters working for about 12 days make one bullock-cart. Carpenters are also engaged in house building, tonga making, etc. Smiths generally do the work of repairing masonry tools, carts, etc. They also make cots and cradles from iron hoops. Some smiths manufacture buckets, axles of carts and nails.

Marketing.—The skilled carpenters make tables, chairs and cup-boards which have a demand in towns. The demand for agricultural implements is local. The carpenters also attend various fairs and bazars in the district as well as outside to sell toys, cradles, and household wooden articles (pat, latne, etc.)

The blacksmiths sell their produce in local markets. Their products include crude and rough buckets. These articles however cannot compete with the produce of large-scale industries, Their work is therefore naturally confined to repairing and making such products as are not usually produced by large-scale industries (kadhai, horseshoe, sickle, etc.)

Employment.—Carpenters are busy throughout the year. Village smiths face unemployment in the rainy season. The earning of carpenter varies from Rs. 3 to Rs. 6 per day depending upon the skill and nature of the work. Blacksmiths also get Rs. 2 to Rs. 5 per day. They are generally paid on piece-work basis. Rural artisans switch over to agricultural labour in the rainy season if they have no other work.

Finance and Co-operation.—In cities, there are some establishments which directly engage carpenters for a given job. But most of the art sans in the rurai as well as in urban areas carry on their profession independently. No independent carpenter can keep a stock of goods ready for sale for lack of sufficient finance. They purchase even the raw material on short term-credit from timber merchants. The condition of the blacksmiths is worse than that of carpenters in this regard.

Government has been extending financial as well as technical assistance to the artisans who are members of co-operative societies. There were 7 co-operative societies of carpentry and smithy with a membership of 147 and a share capital of Rs. 6,122 in 1961-62. The carpentry societies mostly deal in contract work and do not manufacture the finished goods on their own account and keep them for sale. The smithy societies are mostly engaged in manufacturing agricultural implements.

Bricks, Tiles and Pottery.

This industry is found in almost all big villages in the district Bricks, mostly followed by Kumbhar families as a hereditary occupation. They manufacture bricks and tiles in the basins of the rivers Krishna and Warna where ample water and clay are available. Bhilwadi, Brambnal, Sangalwadi, Haripur, Ankali, Dhamani are the important centres of this industry. About 1,000 people were engaged in the industry in 1951. Their number increased to 1934 in 1961.

Raw materials.-—The industry requires black and red clay, coke and groundnut husk as raw materials. Clay is available on the river sides while coke is obtained from Miraj market.

Tools and equipment.—The equipment of the potter consists of potter's wheel with a rod. For making bricks and tiles, moulds, kiln, sieve, etc., are required. The potters use pimpal and banyan tree sticks as fuel. The cost of fuel for baking 10,000 bricks comes to about Rs. 100.

Production and marketing.—Proportionate and suitable earth is mixed with coke or ash and horse dung and soaked for sometime in water. The mixture is then properly kneaded and prepared for making earthenwares. The main articles produced are ghagars and madkis which are mainly bought by the poorer section of the community. There is a great demand for such earthenware in the summer season when they are used for storing drinking water. Besides these articles, flower pots and clay toys are also produced.

The industry is seasonal and works for about six months, i.e., from November to May. About 10,000 bricks could be produced by 10 persons in 10 days at a cost of about Rs. 350, including wages. There is a growing demand for bricks due to the increasing construction activities.

Employment and labour.—As the industry is seasonal, the period of employment varies between 4 and 6 months. When the artisans are not busy they take to agriculture. The seasonal nature of the industry has resulted in the exodus of, the artisans to cities and towns.

Pottery is undertaken by individual proprietors both in the villages and towns. The raising of capital for the industry has always been a problem to the artisans.

Since the inception of planning, efforts have been made to conduct the industry on a co-operative basis. There were in 1961-62, 11 co-operative societies, with 383 members. The capital of these societies in that year was Rs. 15,011 and the value of their production Rs. 58,983. A large segment of the industry is outside the co-operative fold. The industry has great development potentiality and considerable progress will be made if a systematic and co-operative approach is made towards it.

Goldsmithy and Silversmithy.

Sangli is famous for the making of ornaments and gold and siher articles. There were 400 artisans engaged in the industry in 1951. In 1961, the figure stood at 883. The gold control order of 1963 has affected the industry to a very great extent. Sangli is an important centre where gold and silver articles are, prepared and marketed on large scale. Miraj, Tasgaon, Vita,, Islampur are the other centres of the industry. The artisans mainly comprise the community of Sonars who are traditionally engaged in the industry.

Raw materials.—Gold and silver are the primary materials required. Copper and different kinds of soldering material are the other requirements. Gold and silver are obtained from Bombay, Poona and Kolhapur. Sometimes, old ornaments are melted, and the metal is used in making new ornaments.

Tools and equipment.—The type of tools required depends upon the nature and quality of the ornaments made. Anvils, hammers, bellows, pincers (chimata), pots, crucibles, moulds, nails, file, etc., are the tools used by the artisans. A small establishment requires tools worth Rs. 150 to Rs. 200. For specialised and skilled jobs instruments and tools costing about Rs. 1,000 are required, If there are any mechanical or electrical units like dye-press, electroplating instrument or machine for rolling strings, initial investment comes to about Rs. 7,000.

Production.—The gold and silver ornaments comprise bangles, various types of bracelets, rings, strings of beads, neckwear, silver frames, gold and silver buttons, silverwares, etc. The artisans get orders in advance along with the provision of raw material from shroffs or directly from customers. Rural artisans usually get direct orders from customers. Artisans make attractive gold rings of various types. Meena work is a very skilful and delicate job of drawing names and pictures, etc., on small rings, neckwear or bangles of gold. Some undertake the job of electroplating, gold planting or silverplating of various metal articles and wristwatches Tordi or anklet made of silver is another important ornamen manufactured by many silversmiths. Dinner dishes, pots and spoons of silver are manufactured in die. Some artisans make threads of silver and gold. The variety of ornaments made is very wide and specialisation is usually followed.

Marketing.—The village artisans have their petty workshops in their homes. They make gold and silver ornaments on orders placed well in advance. Artisans and sarafs at Sangli and Miraj maintain regular customers. Orders are also received from other places outside the district and sometimes the artisans themselves go out to sell the articles made by them. The demand for these articles has undergone considerable changes during the last 25 years, due to the changes in the tastes of the people. People now prefer cheaper and lighter types of ornaments to heavy and very costly ones.

Employment and Labour.—Generally, the male members of the family work as a unit. More skill than labour is involved in the execution of a job. A master craftsman or a shop owner employs outside labour, and pays the artisans usually at piece-rate. Those who make gold and silver beads are employed on contract basis by karkhandars and are paid Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 per day.

Finance. —The industry when operated on a small-scale requires an initial investment of about Rs. 1,000 including the working capital. Artisans, generally, are poor and do not have enough capital to start an independent business. Most of the workers take orders, get the materials from Sarafs and do the work on a contract basis.

There are no co-operatives of the artisans. The need for co-operation in the fields of production and marketing is imperative to improve the lot of artisans in the industry.

Copper and Brass works.

A majority of the persons engaged in the industry belong to the Tambat and Kasar communities!. A few Marathas, Malis and Muslims have also taken up this occupation. The industry has now lost its importance considerably due to the mechanisation of the process of production and the introduction of stainless steel. In 1951, there were 273 persons engaged in the industry. Besides, a number of people were engaged in the trade as shopkeepers and servants. In 1961, the number stood at 330. The industry is mainly centred in Sangli, Miraj and Tasgaon.

Raw materials.--Copper and alloys of copper are the raw materials required by the industry. Copper is bought in the form of ingots, slab, billets and scraps. Zinc and tin are used to alloy copper for rerolling and castware. Metal sheets are available in Sangli from a local factory. Chemicals like sulphur and acids are also used.

Tools, equipment and fuel.—Tambats (copper smiths) use hammers, chisels, cutters, tongs, clippers, etc., as tools. Heating is commonly done by blowers except in a few cases where electricity is used. The tools and equipment cost about Rs. 500. Firewood, coke and electricity are used as feul.

Production.—The establishments are mostly non-mechanised and manufacture vessels by the hammering process. Brass-sheets are beaten into required shape to form utensils such as ghagar, handas, lotas and tapeli for domestic use. One artisan produces on an average two tapelis weighing about 4.536 kilograms (10 lbs.) per day. The method of production is simple and old fashioned. In some mechanised establishments processes like cutting, pressing, moulding, polishing, etc., are carried out with the help of machines.

Marketing.—The main products in demand are the utensils made from copper and brass. Household articles are sold in the markets at Sangli, Miraj. Tasgaon, etc. The products are also exported to Karnatak and other neighbouring districts.

Employment.—Often the merchants supply copper and brass sheets to the artisans who prepare the articles and receive wages. The merchants arrange for the sale of articles thus produced. People working on monthly wage are paid about Rs. 80 to Rs. 90. In a majority of cases the artisans are engaged to produce utensils on a piece-rate basis or on a contract basis. Their establishments are at their residence where the articles are made.

The National Metal Industries, established in 1958 at Sangli, supplies on an average brass and copper sheets worth Rs. 14 lakhs annually. The total investment in the factory amounts to Rs. 4 lakhs. The factory provides employment for 40 persons both skilled and unski'led. Annually it requires raw materials worth Rs. 12 lakhs. The factory consumes fuel valued at Rs. 25,000 every year. It is the only factory of its kind in Southern Maharashtra. Its annual capacity of production is estimated at (1,000 tons) 1016.05 metric tons

Grain-parching.

There were, in the district, 200 people engaged in the preparation of pohe and churmure in 1951. But a large number is employed in marketing the products. The industry is localised mainly in the towns where paddy is directly imported. The main centres where these products are prepared are Sangli, Miraj, Tasgaon, Shirala and Islampur.

Tools and equipment.—In the preparation of poke and churmure, Kadhai or pan is required for boiling paddy. The tools and equipment consist of hearth, iron sieve for separation of sand and churmure and hammer with level arrangement for beating rice. The whole set costs about Rs. 150 to Rs. 250.

Process.—The workers adopt traditional methods and use old types of tools and equipment. Paddy is first boiled, then dried on the oven and later dehusked into rice. The rice is further salted, heated and finally parched in three different vessels for making into churmure. Parched rice is separated from the sand with a large iron sieve specially prepared for the purpose.

For Pohe making, paddy is kept soaked in hot water for a day, is slightlv parched on the oven and put into a stone mortar when it is slightly soft. Then it is taken for beating.

One bag of paddy yields about five bags of churmure (about 104.51 kg. or 112 seers) by measure.

Marketing.—The market for pohe and churmure is generally local and the manufacturers themselves sell their products. In cities, a few shops could be found selling poke and churmure from which crisp and spicy edibles are prepared.

Employment and labour.—Usually members of the family are engaged in the work. A temporary worker when employed gets about Rs. 2 to Rs. 2.50 per day. Often the wage is paid at piece-rate The 1961 Census returns 516 persons engaged in this business.

Finance.—Generally, artisans require about Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 for stocking paddy. The artisans borrow from local moneyleaders. There is no co-operative society of the workers.

Bamboo-working.

Bamboo-working is generally followed by members of the Burud community as a hereditary occupation. Due to its little capital requirement and traditional nature, the craft is ubiquitous in the district. The important centres of the industry are Sangli, Miraj, Islampur, Tasgaon, Malgaon and Palus. Every village or town has at least one or two families of the artisans. In 1961, 1,610 persons were engaged in this profession.

Raw materials.—Bamboo, the chief raw material, is available in the markets of Sangli, Miraj and Islampur to which centres it is brought from the Konkan area. A bamboo of medium size is sold at ten annas to one rupee.

Tools and equipment.—Artisans use simple tools such as sickle (koyta), knife, wooden blocks, chisel, etc. A whole set of tools costs about Rs. 15 to Rs. 25. These tools are available in the markets of Sangli and Miraj. A knife lasts for about three to five years while the life of a sickle is about 7 to 10 years.

Production.—Bamboo strips are taken out with a koyta and baskets are made with the help of a knife. Sifters (gholana), grain containers (kanagi), mats, supas, topalis, etc., are also made by the artisans. A mat of 1.52x3.05 metres (5'x10') is prepared by two persons in a day. The bark of the bamboos from which a mat is made is used for making baskets.

Marketing.—Articles made from bamboo are of common use in households. The demand is mostly of a local nature. The products of the industry are sold in weekly bazars of Sangli, Miraj, Islampur, Tasgaon, etc.

Employment and labour.—The family works as a unit and no outside labour is employed. The work is brisk except in rainy season when artisans take to other professions such as agriculture.

Finance and co-operation.—There were two cane and bamboo workers societies in the district in 1961-62, one at Kundal and the other at Malgaon. These societies were mostly dealing in marketing of bamboo articles. The societies with a membership of 70 had a share capital of Rs. 1,375, working capital of Rs. 3,751, and an annual turnover of Rs. 18,862 in 1961-62.

Musical Instruments. Making.

There are few places in India where musical instruments are prepared and there are still fewer places where all varieties of Indian musical instruments are made. Miraj, the home of the most celebrated musician Abdul Karim Khan, is well-known in India for quality musical instruments. It is a hereditary occupation of a few families, and the artisans possess exceptional artistic skill and workmanship. There are about 100 families employed in the work and the number of people dependent on the craft is about 400 to 500. About 22 units are functioning whole time.

The origin of the industry dates back to five generations when one Farijsaheb established the industry at Miraj. Miraj had been a princely state where the industry grew and flourished due to the court patronage to the artisans and musicians.

Raw materials.—The raw materials consist of teak wood, red pine wood (called shiwan lakud), bitter pumpkin (kadu bhopala), steel strings, etc. Teak wood (shishavi) is brought from Belgaum and shiwan lakud made from red pine wood is purchased from Konkan or Kolhapur. Kadu bhopala is obtained from Pandhar-pur. The strings which are made from fine German steel arc purchased at Bombay.

Tools and equipment.—These consist of carpenter's planing machine, file, drilling machine, saw and special kind of chisel called patashi. A set of these tools and equipment costs about Rs. 500.

Process.—The bitter pumpkin is cut into convenient sizes and made hollow by taking out the marrow contents. Then it is joined to a horizontal wooden beam with the help of the wooden strips called neck. The neck and wooden beam are fixed with sealing-wax. The neck is decorated artistically. After polishing the beam, the strings are fastened to small wooden pegs with the necessary arrangement for giving tension to the strings.

Marketing.—The instruments are sent to Poona, Bombay, Delhi, Lucknow and other important places in India. The instruments are known for their musical quality and are highly in demand.

Employment.—An average artisan can produce a musical instrument within 8 to 10 days. The artisans possess a great skill and have fine musical ear to the symphony of musical tunes. Members of the family and some unskilled workers help in minor jobs.

Finance and co-operation.—There is a co-operative society of artisans manufacturing musical instruments at Miraj. It also supplies raw materials to its members. The society supplied raw materials worth Rs.4,563 to its members during the year 1961-62.

Although much has been achieved, much more still remains to be done in the field of this industry. The amelioration of the artisans can be attempted to by embracing, within an efficient co-operative organisation, all existing activity. Improvement in technique and marketing will ensure bright prospects for the industry.

Rope-making.

In almost every village rope-makers are to be found. Quite a large number of artisans are engaged in this industry. In 1951, approximately 12,000 artisans were engaged in the industry. The important centres of the industry are Kavlapur, Ashte, Tasgaon, Malgaon, Savalaj, Palus and Savarade.

Raw material.—Ghaypat, from which fibre is extracted, is grown all over the district. It is planted on bunds which serve as fencing to the field or is grown on the banks of river Krishna. Ready fibre is brought for sale and the same is purchased by rope-makers. Sisal kekti is also found in abundant quantity in the district. Large quantities of ready fibre are exported not only to the neighbouring districts of Sholapur and Bijapur but to Bombay and Calcutta. Fibre extraction is done by the process of retting.

Tools and equipment.—As the whole process of rope making is done mostly by hands, no tools except a wooden twisting wheel is used in it. This is of old and crude type.

Production process.—Ghaypat is retted in water for eight days, dried in air for a day and thrashed by a wooden stick. It is then cleansed in water to get pure fibre. A handful of fibre is taken and twisted into thin strands which are then carried by the same process to a suitable length. One person takes the long strand and the other goes to a distance of 9.14 to 18.29 metres (30 to 60 feet) and starts twisting it. The twisted length is folded and again twisted with the help of a wooden twisting wheel into a rope consisting of 3 to 12 strands as required.

Limestone Industry.

The deposit of limestone occurs in various forms and degrees in Sangli district. Deposits have been found at Arag, Bedag and Narwad in large quantities. The proximity of the limestone rocks is the main precondition for the development of this industry as the Transport cost is very heavy. A large number of persons is engaged in this industry which is located at Miraj, Salgar, Sangli, Arag. Bedag, Narwad and the surrounding area. Lime burning is done throughout the year but it is brisk in fair seasons i.e., in summer and winter. Limestone is used for making mortar. Mortar ghanis are found working at many places in the district. Mortar making and limestone making are complementary industries. There is a fair demand for mortar because it is used as a substitute for cement for building purpose.

There are two varieties of limestone; one is the hard variety used for making mortar and the other the soft one which gives white lime used for white-washing.

The raw material requirement of the industry is stone containing lime. The fuel used is charcoal, cow-dung cake and waste coal from the railway. Lime is burned in kilns. The stone and fuel are fed through the upper opening and the burnt lime is removed through the lower opening. Hammers, shovels, baskets and copper pots are used as equipment.

The market for the product is mainly local though some quantity is exported to Kolhapur and Satara districts.

Mostly men workers are employed as the process of lime making is arduous. Women, when employed, do the preliminary job of stone breaking.

The industry however is in a poor state and the artisans possess very little capital and live from hand to mouth. No attempts were made in the past towards the proper development of the industry. However, artisans from Narwad have proposed to organise a co-operative society at Narwad. Government had explored the possibility of starting a cement factory in this area, but dropped the idea due to the low percentage of lime, ranging from 32 to 35 in the stone.

Oil-pressing.

This district is well-known for its groundnut crop. Groundnut is produced practically by every farming family of the district. There is at least one ghani in every village. There were about 300 country ghanis and 14 husking ghanis working in the area and employing about 1,600 artisans in 1951. In 1961, at some places, oil was extracted from kardi (safflower) and jawas also. Islampur, Shirala. Yellor, Peth, Jath, Sangli and Kavlapur are the main centres of the industry.

Raw materials,—Groundnut and safflower from which oil is extracted are purchased from Sangli, Takari and Islampur markets. Besides, karanji seeds are also crushed into karanji oil.

Tools and equipment.—Most of the ghanis are old type country kolu ghanis driven by bullocks. There are no implements except drums for oil storage and an iron bar. The cost of a kolu ghani is about Rs. 300.

Process.—The bullock is yoked to the upper beam of ghanis₎and it goes round it. The seeds are crushed by the revolving cylinder. Oil gathers in the trough while the residue forms into a solid mass round the sides of the trough as oilcake. On an average, about 45.36 kg. (100 lbs.) of groundnut seeds are crushed in ten hours and yield about 13.608 kg. (30 lbs.) of oil and 31.75 kg. (70 lbs.) of oilcake.

Marketing.—The market for ghani oil is entirely local. The oilcake however is exported to Ratnagiri district and Phaltan where it is used as a manure for sugarcane. The price of cake varies according to the quality and oil content.

Employment and labour.—Generally, the adult members of the Teli family operate the ghani. The industry is seasonal from November to July. In the rainy season, the artisans take to agriculture as a subsidiary occupation.

Finance.—The capital requirements for the industry are large as the oilmen have to keep a good stock of groundnut. It is stocked in the season when prices are generally low. In villages, the cultivators reserve their own produce for oil pressing. Besides, the ghani owners crush the groundnut produce of the local people and earn service charges. Telis either borrow money for their working capital or purchase groundnut on credit.

Co-operation.—There were eight co-operative societies of oil ghani workers with a membership of 169, share capital of Rs. 24,891 and working capital of Rs. 1,05,261 in 1961-62. The societies do not undertake production of oil on their own but sell the oil produced by their members to the consumers. The Maharashtra State Village Industries Board advances loans for share capital and working capital to these societies.

Handlooms (Cotton weaving.)

In 1951, there were about 1,500 handlooms in this district, of which about 1,000 were automatic looms and the remaining pit fly-shuttle looms. The number increased to 1,674 at the end of the first Five-Year Plan, and in 1958, there were 1,844 registered handlooms. Throw-shuttle pit looms have become more or less extinct in this area-

The important handloom centres are Budhagaon, Miraj, Kavathe Mahankal, Sangli, Islampur, Bableshwar, Vita, Kundal and Kadegaon. Almost all the looms are run by independent weaver families with the exception of some who engage weavers on daily wages or on piece work at Sangli, Miraj and Vita.

Raw materials.—Yarn is available in the local markets. Flow-ever, some of the weavers' societies distribute yarn and other requirements such as silk and art silk to the weaver members. The weavers use the following counts of yarn—10s, 16s, 30s, and 60s. Usually one loom requires about 30 to 40 lbs. of medium count yarn per month.

Tools and equipment.—As stated before, only fly-shuttle and automatic take-up motion looms are in vogue in this area. They are manufactured at Ichalkaranji. Warping, with the exception at Sangli, Miraj, Vita and Budhagaon, where warping reels are used, is of the old method. Sizing also is carried on in the same way.

The prices of the loom and its accessories such as reeds, shuttles, pirns, etc., are approximately as follows:—

(1) Fly-shuttle loom about Rs. 250; (2) Beam Rs. 28 to Rs. 35; (3) Phani Rs. 7 to Rs. 14; (4) Creel machine Rs. 125; (5) Dobby Rs. 40; (6) Dhote Rs. 7 to Rs. 14 per pair; (7) Rahat Rs. 75; (8) Sticks 6 annas per dozen; (9) Waisat Rs. 10 to Rs. 22

Production.—The products of the industry are sarees, patals, dhotis, shirtings and pasodis. The common counts of yarn used are 20s, 30s and 40s. Coarser yarn of 10s and 16s is used for making carpets (pattyas). Silk and art silk is used in the production of sarees and patals.

Marketing.—The handloom products are locally sold at the markets at Tasgaon, Sangli, Miraj and Kavathe Mahankal. Products of fine varieties to suit individual tastes are also produced.

Employment and labour.—The art of weaving has been hereditary and most of the workers are trained. The industry works from November to June briskly, but the business is slack during the rainy season.

On an average, 3 sarees are woven in 2 days on automatic looms, and one saree on fly-shuttle looms per day. The income of a weaver's family, where preparatory processes are also carried out, ranges from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 3 per day. The wages., paid on piece work basis, arc as follow: —

(1) 9 yds. of 40 count yarn Rs. 2.33; (2) 6 yds. of 40 count yarn Rs. 1.55; (3) 5 yds. of 40 count yarn Rs. 1.30.

Finance.—The weavers require about Rs. 600 to Rs. 750 as initial capital including the cost of raw material, loom and contingent charges. Due to the poor economic conditions of the weavers, it is not possible for them to raise even this much initial capital. The products also cannot compete with machine-made goods Hence, government gives relief to the handloom weavers by extending them financial assistance for buying yarn and by marketing their products. This assistance is given through the weavers cooperative societies only. A loan of Rs. 200 per loom is sanctioned as working capital. A sum of Rs. 50,000 was allotted to Sangli district in order to work 250 handlooms during the first five-year plan period.

The total assistance sanctioned to the handloom industry during 1957 to 1962 amounted to Rs. 6,65,577. It was sanctioned under the Handloom Development Scheme mainly for the purpose of conversion of handlooms into powerlooms. Grants are also given for opening of sales depots, plying vans for the sale of handloom cloth, establishment of dyeing and model production centres.

In Sangli district there were 17 weavers co-operative societies in 1961 with 1,291 members and a total share capital of Rs. 1,03,620. The Sangli Group Winkar Sahakari Society, Ltd., has been sanctioned 15 powerlooms under the scheme of conversion of hand-looms into powerlooms. The society produced cloth valued at Rs. 1,10,639 in 1961.

At Vita, there is a school imparting training in weaving to students. The students are paid a stipend ranging from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 per month.

Wool-weaving.

Wool-weaving is one of the oldest industries of the district. It was estimated that in 1951 there were about 200 looms in this district. In 1961, the important centres of the industry were Atpadi, Islampur, Nagaon-Kavathe, Palus, Kargani, Dhalgaon, Kharsundi, etc. The eastern part of Khanapur taluka i.e., Atpadi Mahal is a hilly track and sheep breeding is carried on as a subsidiary occupation by the farmers. The other important place is Dhalgaon located at a distance of 64.374 km. (40 miles) from Miraj on Miraj-Pandharpur railway line. There are 33,335 sheep in Khanapur taluka for which statistical data is available. The annual production of wool is nearly about 22,650 kg. (50,000 lbs.) in this taluka. Wool-weaving is done by the artisans called Sanagars and sheep-breeding is undertaken by the Dhanagars.

Raw materials.—In this area, ready-spun yarn of good quality wool is available. Wool is sheared twice in a year i.e., in the months of January and June. The wool sheared in the month of January is stiff whereas that sheared in June is soft and glazy and gives yarn of a superior and uniform quality. Tamarind seeds are required for wool-yarn production.

Tools and equipment.—The artisans in the industry use very old fashioned tools, viz., pit and throw-shuttle looms. A hollow bamboo 0.30 metres (12") in length and one and half inches in diametre is used as shuttle. The traditional charkha is also utilised by weavers. The charkha costs about Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 and pit-loom costs Rs, 250 to Rs. 300.

Production.—Rough woollen blankets called ghongadis are manufactured by the wool weavers, which are 1.27 metres (50") in width and 2.29 to 2.54 metres (90" to 100") in length. The production is spread over the following processes: —

(1) carding of raw wool;

(2) making of wool threads from the yarn with the help of charkha and takali;

(3) warping which consists of spreading yarn according to the size of finished product i.e., ghongadi or rug.

(4) Sizing:—sizing of the yarn with the solution of tamarind seeds;

(5) weaving.

A skilled artisan weaves one ghongadi in l� days including all the preparatory processes.

Marketing.—The price of the blankets varies from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30 according to the quality of wool and worksmanship. The ghongadis are partly sold locally and also exported to Ratnagiri and Kolaba districts. During summer weavers move from place to place selling their products. Yarn is also sold in the important centres on bazar days. The marketing is done in the local units called muri and padgri. The rate per pound of woollen yarn is about Rs. 2.75 to Rs. 3.

Employment and labour.—The industry keeps the weavers busy for nearly 8 months in a year. Wool-weaving is a seasonal industry and the artisans take to agriculture during the rainy season. On an average a family of wool-weavers earns about Rs. 3 per day. Outside labour when employed is paid about Rs. 1.50 to Rs. 3.50 per piece depending upon its size.

Finance and co-operation.—The industry is run on a proprietary basis and very few artisans work under the master weaver. The industry requires an initial capital of about Rs. 700. The amount is usually borrowed from local merchants.

There were 9 wool-weavers' co-operative societies functioning in the district in 1961 with a membership of 6,470. They had a working capital of Rs. 14,867. The societies produced goods worth Rs. 42,535. Two societies have been granted recognition by the Khadi and Village Industries Board. The District Industrial Co-operative Association and two primary weavers co-operative societies were sanctioned sales depots. The total sales in 1960-61 amounted to Rs. 47,622.

In Khanapur block, a training school has been opened where training in wool-weaving is given. The duration of the course is one year. The trainees when they complete their training, work on improved looms.

Rope-making

Big and small ropes called nadas, kasaras, saundars and bullock neck-bands are prepared by the rope-makers. Spinning requires 2 workers while twisting requires the services of three.

Marketing.—The ropes prepared in this district are in great demand owing to their superior quality. The product is sent to Gadag, Savnur, Hubli, Belgaum, Barsi, Sholapur and Pandharpur. There is a considerable local market also for the products. Thick ropes are used on a mot for fetching water from a well. Each nada is sold at about Rs. 6 to Rs. 7.

Employment and labour.—Every family of rope-makers works as one unit. On an average a family of four persons engaged in this industry earns about Rs. 6 per day. The rope makers are mostly engaged throughout the year.

Finance and co-operation.—The artisans obtain finance from the village money-lenders. The advances are usually for a short term, the period ranging from two to three months.

There were three co-operative societies of rope-makers in the district in 1951. The number rose to 12 in 1961. Of these societies, three have taken up production of rope and purchased raw materials to the extent of Rs. 3,838 and sold finished goods valued at Rs. 7,369 in 1961. The societies paid Rs. 1,737 as wages to their members engaged in production in the same year.

Tanning.

In 1951, about 1,000 persons were engaged in this industry. It is followed by Dhors, and Chambhars as a hereditary occupation. The important centres of this industry are Sangli, Savalaj, Palus, Tasgaon, Atpadi, Kavlapur and Miraj. Among these, Atpadi is the most important. Excepting Miraj, Sangli and Ashta, where there are master tanners who employ artisans on wage basis, in all places the work is carried on independently by the artisans themselves.

Raw materials.—The raw materials required by the industry are hides, lime and chemicals like potassium dichromate which are mostly brought from Bombay. In rural areas, tanners purchase raw hides locally. Hirda and babul bark, used in this process, are also available locally.

Tools and equipment.—The equipment consists of two or three lime pits, tubs, washing tanks and tools like wooden mallets, rapis, aris, etc. The tanning and liming pits are kachcha constructions, The entire equipment of a unit costs between Rs. 800 and 1,000.

Process of production.—The artisans follow 'bag tanning' method. Usually a tanner and his family can tan 20 hides in 30 to 34 days The hide is macerated in lime water to separate the hair, the fat and the fleshy parts from it. After the hide is well soaked, the fleshy parts are removed with a knife (rapi). It is then washed and soaked for nearly three days in a light solution of babul bark and hirda water. To have a thorough tanned hide, the process of soaking is repeated thrice. The hide is then tied into a bag and hung up with a stronger solution of babul bark and hirda water. It is kept in this state for seven days. On the eighth day it is washed and again dried. It is then ready for sale.

For raw hide weighing one maund, 9.33 kg. (10 seers) of fresh lime water is required and a solution of 11.20 kg. (12 seers) of babul bark and 3.73 kg. (4 seers) of hirda is. taken for each washing. Approximately 30 seers of soaked (pakka) hide are obtained from one maund of raw hide of cow and 32.66 kg. (35 seers) from one maund of raw hide of buffalo.

The cost of tanning of one maund of raw hide comes to about Rs. 80 while tanned material of 21.46 kg. (23 seers) obtained from it fetches about Rs. 92.

Marketing.—Besides the usual variety of tanned leather which is sold to leather workers in local markets, new varieties such as pickers, belts, roller skins are manufactured by the tanners themselves. Pickers and belts are sold locally as well as sent to Bombay. There are only two centres viz., Sangli and Kavlapur where this work is carried on.

Employment.—All the members of the tanner's family are engaged in the industry throughout the year except the rainy seasons. One family of three members tans 20 pieces of buffalo hides weighing about 453.39 kg. (1,000 lbs.) a month.

Finance and co-operation.—This industry requires a considerable amount of capital. An artisan requires about Rs. 2,000 as working capital. The amount is obtained by raising short-term loans. Of the four tanners co-operative societies in the district, three" were defunct in 1961-62. The society at Kavlapur produced goods worth Rs. 15,193, and sold finished goods to the extent of Rs. 13,519. The society paid wages of Rs. 2,517 in the same year. The society is recognised as a model tannery by the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board.

The tanners are generally poor. They find it difficult to compete with well-organized leather manufacturing concerns which sell their products at lower price.

Leather

Like all other cottage industries, this industry is also carried on as a hereditary occupation by members of the Chambhar community. In 1951, approximately 3,000 people were working in the industry in this district. In 1961, the number increased by a few artisans. The industry is mainly localised at Sangli, Miraj, Tas-gaon, Manerajuri, Yelavi and Kavlapur.

Raw materials.—Tanned leather, rubber for soles, dyed and fancy leather, nails, polish, etc., constitute the raw material requirements of the industry. They are available locally and especially in the markets of Sangli, Miraj and Kolhapur. Such articles like plastic, rings, etc., are obtained from Bombay.

Tools and implements.—Tools of the artisans are traditional and are of old type. These consist of ari, rapi, punches, hammer, wooded blocks, pakkad, etc. Sewing machines are also used by some of them. A set of such tools including a sewing machine costs Rs. 600 to Rs. 700.

Production.—Articles which are produced usually in large quantities are chappals, shoes and sandals. Cycle seat covers and money purses are also prepared. As good quality tanned leather is available in this area, durable finished products are manufactured here. The only concern manufacturing agricultural and textile leather in the district is at Sangli. This is a mechanised unit employing 4 temporary hands for stitching and polishing leather belts while the work of operating the machine is done by 3 family hands. The cost of production of chappal, boots, sandals, etc., varies according to the quality of the leather and design.

Marketing.—There is a fairly good demand for the products locally as well as from outside the district. The products have, however, to face keen competition from manufacturing companies. The machine-made articles are attractive substitutes for the local hand-made articles.

Employment and labour.—Leather-working provides full-time employment to the artisans. In big cities, establishments employ the artisans and pay them daily wage or at piece rate. In the rainy season when the work is slack, the artisans take to agriculture.

Co-operation.—There were four leather-workers co-operative societies working in the district in 1961-62. They produced goods worth Rs. 21,432 in that year. The societies paid wages to the members to the extent of Rs. 4,137. The societies received financial assistance from the government.

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