Khurja Pottery Ceramics of UP

## Khurja — India's Pottery Town Khurja, in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh, is the largest pottery manufacturing town in India and earns it the title "Ceramic City." Unlike artisan crafts, Khurja's pottery industry spans from small family workshops to mid-scale ceramic units producing millions of pieces annually. ### History Pottery in Khurja began with Muslim artisans (Kumhars) who settled here in the 14th century. The industry scaled up during British rule as railway connectivity opened national markets. ### Products Khurja is known for hotel-grade chinaware, bone china crockery, utility tiles, electrical porcelain insulators, and decorative ceramic figures. Over 400 units are registered, employing 30,000+ workers. ### Process Khurja uses both jiggering (mechanical), slip-casting, and hand-throwing. Stoneware bodies fired at 1,200–1,300°C. Surface decorations include transfer prints, hand-painting, and cobalt-blue underglaze work. ### GI Status Khurja Pottery received GI tag in 2010. Products are exported to 30+ countries. The cluster was identified under the Government's Mega Cluster development scheme. ### Challenges High natural gas and energy costs. Competition from Chinese ceramics. Air quality concerns from coal-fired kilns. Government supports LPG and piped natural gas conversion.