The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 23
I.—Carpets
I.—Carpets.
The chief places in which carpets are manufactured, are Lahore, Bareilly, Jubbulpore, Gorruckpore, Mirzapore, Rungpore, and Benares, in the Presidencies of Bengal, the North-West Provinces, and the Punjab, and at Masulipatam in the Madras Presidency.
At Lahore, Mecrut, and Bareilly, the manufacture is solely carried on by prisoners in the jails; but as it has only been commenced since the introduction of the new prison discipline, the annual production is limited; so far, however, as quality is concerned, the carpets are excellent. They can be made there of any size and pattern, the average price being from seven to nine shillings per square yard. The great drawback to the exportation of carpets from the above places is the heavy expense of inland transport, which, however, will remedy itself as soon as the three great lines of railway, now in the course of construction, have been completed.
At Jubbulpore, the manufacture of carpets, rugs, and suttringees (cotton carpts), has been regularly carried on for years; chiefly in jails, whore Thugs and other prisoners are extensively employed upon them. The Jubbulpore carpets are considered of extremely good texture, and are remarkable for their cheapness. The annual consumption, though large, is limited to a comparatively small area. The nearest place to which they are at present conveyed is page 53 Mirzapore, on the Ganges, whence they are forwarded by river boats to Calcutta. The expense of transport from Jubbulpore to Calcutta, including duty and agency charges, &c., is very nearly 90 per cent, on the original cost of the articles at the place of production,
Turkey carpets | 4R. | or | 8s. 0d. per sq. yd. |
Scotch carpeting | 1R 8A | or | 3s. 0d. per yd. |
33 feet wide. | |||
Suttringees | 1R 2A | or | 2s. 3d. per sq. yd. |
Kidderminster | 1R 2A | or | 2s. 3d. per yd. |
1 yard wide. |
At present, however, the places which supply the greater portion of India, as well as the export demand, are Mirzapore and Benares. There is no specific price per yard, as carpets, both at Mirzapore and Benares, are generally sold at so much a piece. The Mirzapore carpets are noted for excellent staple and durability of wear, but are dearer than those from Jubbulpore, though for purposes of export they are cheaper, as the place is situated on the Ganges, and has, therefore, the advantages of easy transport to Calcutta. When the railways come into full operation, the carpets of Mirzapore and Benares will be, in all probability, superseded by those of Meerut, Bareilly, Lahore, and Jubbulpore. The manufacture of carpets is also carried on at Gorruckpore; they are, therefore, more expensive than those of the neighbouring districts of Mirzapore and Benares. In the Madras Presidency, Masulipatam is the chief seat of the manufacture. The trade is carried on to a considerable extent, and entirely by natives, who, as in Bengal, combine it with agricultural undertakings adapted to the season of the year.
The above remarks apply exclusively to carpets not less than 10 feet square.