>Monkbot at 20:50, 17 December 2020

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ghurni
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Neighbourhood
| image_skyline = File:Krishnanagar Clay Models.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Krishnanagar clay models
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal # India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal, India
| coordinates = {{Coord|23.4286|N|88.5063|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[West Bengal]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of West Bengal|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Nadia district|Nadia]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = Telephone/[[Subscriber trunk dialing|STD]] code
| area_code = 03472
| registration_plate = WB51/52
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Krishnanagar (Lok Sabha constituency)|Krishnanagar]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Krishnanagar Uttar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Krishnanagar Uttar]]
| website = {{URL|http://nadia.gov.in/}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Ghurni''' is a [[neighbourhood]] of [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnanagar]] in [[Nadia district]] in the Indian [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]]. It is the centre for the production of [[clay]] [[doll]]s, often referred to as Krishnanagar clay dolls.

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=450| height=420| zoom=10
| coord={{coord|23|34|0|N|88|30|0|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities and towns in Krishnanagr Sadar subdivision of Nadia district'''<br/> M: municipal town/ city, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: place of historical/ religious interest, T: place of tourist interest.<br/>Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|23|31|44|N|88|32|48|E}} | label-pos1=right|label1=Chapra | numbered1=CT| mark-title1= [[Chapra, Nadia]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|25|0|N|88|31|23|E}} | label-pos2=right|label2=Sonda | numbered2=CT| mark-title2= [[Sonda, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|21|30|N|88|29|11|E}} | label-pos3=bottom|label3=Baruihuda | numbered3=CT| mark-title3= [[Baruihuda]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|22|10|N|88|28|40|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4=Paschimbhatjangla | numbered4=CT| mark-title4= [[Paschimbhatjangla]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|29|35|N|88|28|2|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5=Harindanga | numbered5=CT| mark-title5= [[Harindanga, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|27|5|N|88|24|40|E}} | label-pos6=top|label6=Bamanpukur | numbered6=CT| mark-title6= [[Bamanpukur]] (CT)
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|25|50|N|88|25|10|E}} | label-pos7=right|label7=Tiorkhali | numbered7=CT| mark-title7= [[Tiorkhali]] (CT)
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|25|50|N|88|19|30|E}} | label-pos8=top|label8=Bablari |labela8=Dewanganj | numbered8=CT| mark-title8= [[Bablari Dewanganj]] (CT)
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|23|40|N|88|24|14|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9= Gadigachha | numbered9=CT| mark-title9= [[Gadigachha]] (CT)
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|22|55|N|88|23|50|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10= Majdia | numbered10=CT| mark-title10= [[Majdia, Nabadwip]] (CT)
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|22|50|N|88|23|0|E}} | label-pos11=left|label11= Char Maijdia | numbered11=CT| mark-title11= [[Char Maijdia]] (CT)
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|23|50|N|88|22|50|E}} | label-pos12=left|label12= Char Brahmanagar | numbered12=CT| mark-title12= [[Char Brahmanagar]] (CT)
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|46|14|N|88|17|13|E}} | label-pos13=left|label13=Mira | numbered13=CT| mark-title13= [[Mira, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|37|38|N|88|12|16|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14=Matiari | numbered14=CT| mark-title14= [[Matiari, Nadia]] (CT)
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|37|15|N|88|23|48|E}} | label-pos15=top|label15= Jagadanandapur | numbered15=CT| mark-title15= [[Jagadanandapur]] (CT)
|mark-coord16={{coord|23|36|26|N|88|24|6|E}} | label-pos16=right|label16= Kshidirpur | numbered16=CT| mark-title16= [[Kshidirpur]] (CT)
|mark-coord17={{coord|23|23|35|N|88|31|30|E}} | label-pos17=right|label17=Krishnanagar |label-size17=13 | numbered17=M| mark-title17= [[Krishnanagar, Nadia]] (M)|label-color17=#800000
|mark-coord18={{coord|23|25|0|N|88|21|50|E}} | label-pos18=left|label18=Nabadwip |label-size18=13 | numbered18=M| mark-title18= [[Nabadwip]] (M)|label-color18=#800000
|mark-coord19={{coord|23|30|30|N|88|32|33|E}} | label-pos19=right|label19= Bangaljhi| numbered19=R| mark-title19= [[Bangaljhi]] (R)| shape-color19=#C40000
|mark-coord20={{coord|23|25|7|N|88|41|50|E}} | label-pos20=top|label20= Krishnaganj| numbered20=R| mark-title20= [[Krishnaganj]] (R)| shape-color20=#C40000
|mark-coord21={{coord|23|24|53|N|88|43|10|E}} | label-pos21=bottom|label21= Majhdia| numbered21=R| mark-title21= [[Majhdia, Krishnaganj]] (R)| shape-color21=#C40000
|mark-coord22={{coord|23|29|30|N|88|46|36|E}} | label-pos22=left|label22= Gede| labela22= check point|numbered22=R| mark-title22= [[Gede, Nadia]] (R)| shape-color22=#C40000
|mark-coord23={{coord|23|26|52|N|88|26|36|E}} | label-pos23=right|label23= Ruipukur|numbered23=R| mark-title23= [[Ruipukur]] (R)| shape-color23=#C40000
|mark-coord24={{coord|23|22|55|N|88|30|25|E}} | label-pos24=right|label24= Asannagar|numbered24=R| mark-title24= [[Asannagar]] (R)| shape-color24=#C40000
|mark-coord25={{coord|23|22|0|N|88|25|42|E}} | label-pos25=left|label25= Bishnupur|numbered25=R| mark-title25= [[Bishnupur, Nadia]] (R)| shape-color25=#C40000
|mark-coord26={{coord|23|29|17|N|88|27|4|E}} | label-pos26=left|label26= Dhubulia|numbered26=R| mark-title26= [[Dhubulia]] (R)| shape-color26=#C40000
|mark-coord27={{coord|23|26|5|N|88|30|42|E}} | label-pos27=right|label27= Ghurni|numbered27=R| mark-title27= [[Ghurni]] (R)|shape-color27=black| label-size27=13|label-color27=black 
|mark-coord28={{coord|23|25|10|N|88|23|54|E}} | label-pos28=right|label28= Maheshganj|numbered28=R| mark-title28= [[Maheshganj]] (R)| shape-color28=#C40000
|mark-coord29={{coord|23|44|5|N|88|13|45|E}} | label-pos29=right|label29= Kaliganj| numbered29=R| mark-title29= [[Kaliganj, Nadia]] (R)| shape-color29=#C40000
|mark-coord30={{coord|23|41|50|N|88|17|1|E}} | label-pos30=right|label30= Debagram| numbered30=R| mark-title30= [[Debagram]] (R)| shape-color30=#C40000
|mark-coord31={{coord|23|35|35|N|88|20|57|E}} | label-pos31=left|label31= Nakashipara| numbered31=R| mark-title31= [[Nakashipara]] (R)| shape-color31=#C40000
|mark-coord32={{coord|23|36|38|N|88|23|0|E}} | label-pos32=left|label32= Bethuadahri| numbered32=R| mark-title32= [[Bethuadahri]] (R)| shape-color32=#C40000
|mark-coord33={{coord|23|42|37|N|88|12|24|E}} | label-pos33=right|label33= Juranpur| numbered33=R| mark-title33= [[Juranpur, Nadia]] (R)| shape-color33=#C40000
|mark-coord34={{coord|23|26|20|N|88|24|40|E}}| label-pos34=left|label34= Mayapur| numbered34=H| mark-title34= [[Mayapur]] (H) |shape-color34=#AA6666
|mark-coord35={{coord|23|47|11|N|88|17|26|E}}| label-pos35=top|label35= Palashi| numbered35=H| mark-title35= [[Palashi]] (H) |shape-color35=#AA6666
|mark-coord36={{coord|23|35|40|N|88|23|31|E}} | label-pos36=bottom|label36=Bethuadahari|labela36=Wildlife Sanctuary| numbered36=T|shape-color36= #74C365| mark-title36= [[Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary]] (T)
|mark-coord37={{coord|23|31|30|N|88|19|0|E}}|label37= Bhagirathi| label-color37 = #77A1CB| label-angle37=0| label-pos37=top| label-size37=11| mark-size37=0| mark-title37=none
|mark-coord38={{coord|23|31|0|N|88|21|0|E}}|label38= River| label-color38 = #77A1CB| label-angle38=80| label-pos38=top| label-size38=11| mark-size38=0| mark-title38=none
|mark-coord39={{coord|23|32|0|N|88|28|0|E}}|label39= Jalangi River| label-color39 = #77A1CB| label-angle39=65| label-pos39=top| label-size39=11| mark-size39=0| mark-title39=none
|arc-coordA={{coord|23|48|0|N|88|41|0|E}}|arc-textA= BANGLADESH| arc-text-colorA=hard grey| arc-angleA=40| arc-gapA=4.5| arc-radiusA=0.35}}

===Location===
Ghurni is located at {{Coord|23.4286|N|88.5063|E|}} on the banks of the [[Jalangi River]].

It can be reached from [[Kolkata]] by either train ({{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on|0}}) or bus ({{convert|118|km|mi|abbr=on|0}}).<ref>{{Cite web| url =http://www.mapsofindia.com/kolkata/krishna-nagar.html| title =Krishnanagar| access-date =2007-09-09| publisher =Maps of India| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071112195937/http://www.mapsofindia.com/kolkata/krishna-nagar.html| archive-date =12 November 2007| url-status =dead| df =dmy-all}}</ref> Krishnanagar City is part of [[Kolkata Suburban Railway]] on the [[Sealdah]] – [[Naihati]] – [[Ranaghat]] – [[Krishnanagar, Nadia|Krishnanagar]] line. Journey time is 2½ hours and one can return the same day. Cycle rickshaws, buses (town service) are available for travel within the city.<ref name = "World66">{{Cite web | url = http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/westbengal/krishnanagar | title = Krishnanagar Travel Guide | access-date = 2007-09-09 | work = Into the Dolls house | publisher = World 66 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080514021501/http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/india/westbengal/krishnanagar | archive-date = 14 May 2008 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

<small>Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map. All the four subdivisions are presented with maps on the same scale – the size of the maps vary as per the area of the subdivision.</small>

==History==
The old name of Krishnanagar was Rewe. In the early 17th century Bhabananda Majumdar founded the royal family of Nadia. Later, Maharaja Rudra changed the name to Krishnagar. In 1757, Maharaja Krishnachandra (1710–1783) helped the [[British East India Company]] against [[Siraj ud-Daulah]] in the [[Battle of Plassey]].<ref name = "Telegraph">{{cite news| url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050109/asp/calcutta/story_4232294.asp
|title = Next weekend you can be at...Krishnagar | access-date = 2007-09-09 | newspaper = [[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]], 9 January 2005}}</ref> He was a patron of the arts, including literature and music, and supported the production of clay dolls.<ref name="Anthropology">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.usu.edu/anthro/museum/collections/1stcollections/collections_begar_doll.html
|title=Beggar Doll
|access-date=2007-09-09
|publisher=Museum of Anthropology
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401232102/http://www.usu.edu/anthro/museum/collections/1stcollections/collections_begar_doll.html
|archive-date=1 April 2007
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy
}}</ref> In 1728 he brought families of potters from [[Dhaka]] and [[Natore]] and settled them in Ghurni, then a village.<ref name="Deccan">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep22007/finearts2007083122669.asp
|title=Hands of clay
|access-date=2007-09-09
|work=Into the Dolls house
|publisher=[[Deccan Herald]], 2 September 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022204134/http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep22007/finearts2007083122669.asp
|archive-date=22 October 2007
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy
}}</ref>

==Clay dolls==
In an article, the [[Bangalore]]-based newspaper [[Deccan Herald]] writes, “We have clay dolls, toys and even clay sculptures in different parts of India. But there has been nothing to match the clay doll [[artisans]] of Krishnanagar in the Nadia district of West Bengal. The creations of these artists are displayed in most of the handicraft museums of the world. In India, we have a large display of these dolls in the [[Shankar's International Dolls Museum|Shankar’s Doll Museum]] in New Delhi. One look at the clay dolls and we are amazed at the reality with which the artist has displayed the character of the model. A horse rearing to gallop to a placid dog licking its lips after a hearty feed.”<ref name = "Deccan"/>

Krishnanagar clay dolls are unique in their realism and the quality of their finish, ‘...they truly represent a breakaway from the traditional form. Fruits, fish, insects, animals, birds, and of course the entire pantheon of gods and goddesses, and even the ubiquitous Donald Duck and other popular comic strip characters, faithful copies of real-life, down to the minutest detail. Realistic recreations of everyday life, work, mood and character- farmers, weavers, rag pickers, basket makers, umbrella makers - are yet other specialties of Krishnanagar dolls.’<ref name = "World66"/>

Exhibitions of Krishnagar dolls have been held in London, Paris and Boston.<ref name = "Deccan"/> Ghurni clay models have won medals and certificates at international exhibitions.<ref name = "Statesman">{{Cite web| url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?date=2007-09-08&usrsess=1&clid=23&id=196592 | title = Ghurni artisans turn to fibreglass
|access-date = 2007-09-09 | last = Goswami | first = Biswabrata | work = Bengal plus| publisher = [[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]], 8 September 2007}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

===Bronze casts===
Some of the Ghurni artists have studied in art colleges in France and Italy, but theirs is a talent passed down through generations. Kartik Chandra Pal prepared clay models of statues of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and [[Rabindranath Tagore]]. Based on his clay models [[bronze]] castings were made and have found pride of place in Washington DC and Moscow and were inaugurated by [[Bill Clinton]] and [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], respectively.<ref name = "Telegraph"/><ref name = "Deccan"/>

===Changing times===
The clay modellers of Ghurni have fallen on bad days. The decline of feudal [[Zamindar|zemindari]] culture and loss of their patronage have adversely affected them. They are finding new patrons amongst [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|NRIs]], many of whom are acquiring clay models in large numbers.<ref name = "Deccan"/>

Tastes are also changing. Even ten years ago, the demand was for clay models of the great poets and traditional icons such as [[Rabindranath Tagore]] and [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]]. Now, they are losing out. The demand has shifted and so have the artists to the ‘hottest pin-up idols of cricket’, [[Sourav Ganguly]], [[Sachin Tendulkar]] and [[Rahul Dravid]]. Even saints and religious leaders like [[Ramakrishna|Ramkrishna Paramhansa]], Baba Loknath, and [[Sai Baba of Shirdi|Sai Babas]], have lost out in popularity to these cricketers.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=23&id=106566&usrsess=1
|title = Tagore, Nazrul lose out to cricketers | access-date = 2007-09-09 | last = Goswami | first = Biswabrata | work = Bengal plus| publisher = The Statesman, 30 May 2005}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

The flourishing market abroad of [[Fiberglass|fibreglass]] models, have forced some of the clay modellers of Ghurni to change the base material of their craft, although they lack the infrastructure for making fibre glass models. Fibreglass is more durable and easy to mould.<ref name = "Statesman"/>

The number of [[Master craftsman|master craftsmen]] is decreasing as members of the younger generation are switching over to more lucrative trades or more paying professions. In 2007, the number of master craftsmen staying at Ghurni dwindled to 10, most of them aged.<ref name = "Statesman"/>

==Other achievements==
Ghurni is one of the wards of Krishnanagar municipality which has started receiving piped [[Arsenic poisoning|arsenic-free]] water from 2006.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=23&id=135201&usrsess=1
|title = Arsenic-free water for eight wards | access-date = 2007-09-09 | publisher = The Statesman, 20 February 2006}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

Women at Ghurni have formed co-operative societies with financial assistance from the funding agencies for the culture of ornamental fishes. Apart from their decorative value, these fishes fight [[mosquito]]-borne diseases and there is a potential export market in countries such as the USA, Japan and China.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=23&id=150091&usrsess=1 | title = Ornamental fish to combat deadly diseases | access-date = 2007-09-09 | publisher = The Statesman, 10 July 2006}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Nadia District}}
{{Craft centres in West Bengal}}

[[Category:Nadia district]]
[[Category:Indian dolls]]

Ghurni - Revision history

>Monkbot at 20:50, 17 December 2020