General Info - Things to Buy

The Indian craftsman has been perfecting his art for centuries, passing down traditions and techniques from generation to generation. Each region has its own specialities, each town its own local craftsmen, its own particular skills. The result is a consummate blend of ancient skills and modern aesthetics. Silks, spices, jewellery and many other Indian products have long been famous and widely desired, and merchants would travel thousands of miles, willingly endure the hardships and privations of the long journey in order to make their purchases.

value for money. You can always check for reasonable prices at state-run emporiums, or you could try your hand at bargaining in local bazaars.

FABRICS:
One of India’s main industries, silks, cottons, and wools rank amongst the best in the world. Of the silks the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous variety; other major centres include Patna, Murshidabad,Surat and Kanchipuram. Rajasthan cotton with its famous "tie and die" design is usually brillantly colourful, while Madras cotton is known for its attractive "bleeding" effect after a few washes. Throughout the country may be found the "himroo" cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns. Kashmir sells beautiful woollens particularly shawls.

CARPETS:
India has one of the world’s largest carpet industries, and many examples of her ancient and beautiful craft can be seen in museums throughout the world. Kashmir has a long history of carpet making, influenced by the Persians. Pure wool and woven and silk carpets are exquisitely made, and can be bought for a fraction of the cost that one would pay in the west. Each region will have its own specialty; such as the distinctive, bright coloured Tibetan rugs, available mainly in Darjeeling.

CLOTHES:
Clothes are very cheap to buy, and can be tailor made in some shops, usually very quickly. Choose from an unmatchable range; silks, cottons, himroos, brocades, chiffons, chignons, touched with streaks of silver and gold thread, set with sequins or semi-precious gems .

JEWELLERY:
Particularly of Rajasthan (Kundan), is traditionally heavy and stunningly elaborate. Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems can be bought and mounted. Beautiful gems such as diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones and aquamarine can be bought from reputed jewlers. As a matter of interest, Hyderabad is one of the world’s leading centres for pearls.

HANDICRAFTS AND LEATHERWORK:
Once again, each area will have its own specialty; the vast range includes fine bronzes, brasswork (often inlaid with silver), canework and pottery. Papier Mache is a characteristic Kashmir product, some decorated with gold leaf. Marble and alabaster inlay work, such as chess sets and ornamental plates, are a specialty of Agra. Good leatherwork buys include open Indian sandals and slippers.

OTHER BUYS:
Foods such as pickles, spices and Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, Orissan playing cards, musical instruments- anything that takes your fancy.

NOTE: It is forbidden to export antiques and art objects over 100 years old, animal skins or objects made from skins.

Export of Antiques
Antiquities include sculpture, painting or other works of art and craftsmanship, illustrative of science, art, crafts, religion of bygone ages and of historical interest which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years.

Also manuscripts, or other documents of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value in existence for not less than seventy five years- art-treasures-not necessarily antiquities but having regard to the artistic and aesthetic value cannot be exported out of India.

For Further clarification on the antiquity of an artefact, the tourists can contact the following authorities and get information on the Acts & Rules governing Antiquities & Art Treasures Act, 1972.

New Delhi
Director General, Archaeological Survey of India,
Janpath, New Delhi 110 011
Tel: 301 9451, 301 8848
Telex: 031- 66242 ASI- IN

Mumbai (Bombay)
Superitending Archaeologist, Antiquities,
Archaeological Survey of India
Sion Fort, Sion
Mumbai- 400 022
Tel: 407 1102

Chennai (Madras)
Superitending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India, Madras Circle,
Fort St. George,
Madras 600 009

Calcutta (Kolkatta)
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India, Calcutta Circle,
27, Biplabi Trailokya Maharaj Sarani,
Narayani Building,
Calcutta - 700 001
Tel: 261 933 ,
Telex : 021-5340 ASCC IN

Bangalore
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India, Bangalore Circle,
No. 364, 16th Main, 4th T. Block,
Jayanagar,
Bangalore - 560 041.
Tel: 645901,
Telex : 0845-8845 ARCH IN

Bhubaneswar
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India. Bhubaneswar Circle,
Old Town,
Bhubaneswar - 751 002
Tel: 56575 , Telex : 0675-393 ODRA IN

Srinagar
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Srinagar Circle,
Mintoo Building,
Raj Bagh,
Srinagar
Tel : 32758,
Telex : 0375-349 ASOI IN

Export of Articles Made from Animal etc.

Restrictions Pertaining to Export of Articles Made from Animals etc.

Government of India is concerned about the conservation of its endangered and rare fauna. With this view, export of all wild animals indigenous to the country and articles made from such listed animals like skin, pelts, furs, ivory, fhino horns, trophies etc., have been totally banned.

Tourists are also advised to acquaints themselves with the provisions of Convention on International 'Trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

All the member countries of the convention allow import of the articles covered by convention on the strength of a certificate of export from the country of origin.

For further information, the tourists can contact the following authorities.

New Delhi
Regional Deputy Director (NR) ,
Ministry of Enviornment & Forests,
Wildlife Preservation,
Bikaner House,
Barrack No. 5,
Shahjahan Road,
New Delhi - 110 001 ;
Tel : 384556

Mumbai (Bombay)
Regional Deputy Director,
Wildlife Preservation,
Western Region,
11 , Air Cargo Complex,
Sahar,
Mumbai (Bombay) - 400 099,
Tel : 632 8529

Kolkatta (Calcutta)
Regional Deputy Director,
Wildlife preservation,
Eastern Region,
Nizam Place,
2nd MSO Building,
6th Floor,
234/4,
A. J.C. Bose Road,
Kolkatta (Calcutta) - 700 020
Tel: 478689

Chennai (Madras)
Regional Deputy Director,
Wildlife Preservation,
Southern Region,
C-5, Brownstone Apartments,
Mahalingapuram,
Chennai (Madras) ,
Tel: 8253977