Gorakhpur Terracotta Toy Carpet Weaving Eastern UP

Gorakhpur district in eastern UP is the birthplace of the Gorakhpur terracotta tradition where Prajapati (potter) caste artisans of Aurangabad village produce brightly painted clay toys and figurines — Gorakhpur toys are known for their bold use of orange, green, and black mineral pigments applied on buff-coloured earthen figures of animals, birds, and deities. Gorakhpur terracotta has GI status and is promoted through the UP Handicrafts Development Corporation. The district is a major carpet weaving centre, with Padmasali and Ansari weaver communities producing Mirzapur-style handknotted woollen carpets on pit looms for export through Bhadohi and Varanasi exporters.