Source: Times of India
Context
The centuries-old “Jasdan Patari” handicraft of Jasdan town and taluka, Rajkot district, Gujarat has been officially granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag registration in June 2026 — adding another distinctive product to Saurashtra’s cultural heritage. The Patari (also called Patara) is a brass-ribbed wooden chest typically made of teak wood with 8+ drawers, traditionally covered with brass and copper (now also white metal), strengthened with thick black metal pieces and embossed with thin white metal decoration. Used historically for storage and as dowry/trousseau carriers, fine examples can be seen in the Hingolgadh Castle and Gondal Palace museum collections. The GI tag recognises Jasdan as a leading craft centre for embellished wooden chests and ornate jewel boxes, strengthening the rural artisan economy and adding to Gujarat’s growing GI basket, which already includes Sankheda Furniture, Kutch Embroidery, Rajkot Patola, Patan Patola, Tangaliya Shawl, Kutch Ajrakh, Gir Kesar Mango, Bhalia Wheat, and others.
What is the Jasdan Patari?
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Brass-ribbed wooden chest with embellishments |
| Local Names | Patara / Patari |
| Primary Material | Teak wood |
| Metal Embellishments | Traditionally brass + copper; now also white metal |
| Strengthening | Thick black metal pieces on edges |
| Decoration | Thin white metal pieces embossed on wood |
| Lining | Brass strips + brass stoppers |
| Traditional Use | Storage + dowry/trousseau carriers |
| Museum Collections | Hingolgadh Castle and Gondal Palace |
Where is it produced?
- Jasdan town and surrounding villages in Rajkot district, Gujarat.
- Markets: Main market + Lathi Bazaar of Jasdan.
- Smaller versions of pataras and jewel boxes also sold at Udhyog Bharati and Khadi Plaza, Gondal.
What other crafts does Rajkot district have?
| Craft | Description |
|---|---|
| Rajkot Patola | Single ikat saris (GI-tagged) |
| Meenakari Furniture | Painted lacquered wooden furniture |
| Silver Jewellery + Silverware | Soni Bazaar, Palace Road, Rajkot |
| Block Printing | Jetpur (in district) |
What other GI-tagged products does Gujarat have?
| Category | GI-Tagged Products |
|---|---|
| Handicraft | Sankheda Furniture, Agates of Cambay, Kutch Embroidery, Tangaliya Shawl, Surat Zari Craft, Kachchh Shawls, Patan Patola, Warli Painting, Jamnagari Bandhani, Rajkot Patola, Pethapur Printing Blocks, Pithora, Mata ni Pachhedi, Kutch Rogan Craft, Gharchola Craft, Gujarat Suf Embroidery, Ahmedabad Sodagari Block Print, Surat Sadeli Craft, Bharuch Sujani Weaving, Kutch Ajrakh |
| Agricultural | Gir Kesar Mango, Bhalia Wheat, Kachchhi Kharek |
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the recently GI-tagged Jasdan Patari, consider the following statements:
- Jasdan Patari is a centuries-old handicraft from Jasdan town and taluka in Rajkot district, Gujarat.
- It is a brass-ribbed wooden chest typically made of teak wood, with eight or more drawers.
- It has been traditionally used for storage and as dowry/trousseau carriers.
- Jasdan Patari is a textile handicraft made of silk and zari.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; Jasdan Patari is a wooden chest handicraft (with brass/copper/white metal embellishments), NOT a textile silk/zari handicraft.)
Q2. With reference to Jasdan Patari and the Saurashtra craft tradition, consider the following statements:
- Jasdan is located in Rajkot district of Gujarat, in the Saurashtra region.
- Fine examples of Jasdan Patari can be seen in the museum collections of Hingolgadh Castle and Gondal Palace.
- The patari was traditionally an essential part of a bride’s trousseau in Saurashtra culture.
- Jasdan Patari has its origin in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; Jasdan Patari originates in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, NOT Vidarbha (Maharashtra).)
Answer Key
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: Jasdan Patari is a wooden chest, not silk/zari textile.
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: Jasdan Patari originates in Saurashtra, not Vidarbha.
