A celebration of ingenuity and sustainability, the horn craft of Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) is a centuries-old craft. It is also an environmentally friendly industry as the raw material is procured from deceased fauna.

The artform

According to legend, during a hunt, ancient explorers realised that buffalo horns were hollow and used them as a means of transporting water. This discovery created opportunities for a sector of the economy that is today the main source of income for many craftspeople. The garbage that local slaughterhouses throw is what feeds the industry. The horns are divided into hollow and solid sections, with the extended skull bones removed. These bones and horns naturally shed their smell after being cleaned and sun-dried, making them ideal for this unique craft from Sambhal.

GI Tag

To support this community which has been instrumental in keeping this craft afloat, NABARD aided in its recognition under GI.