WELCOME TO THE

PRESENTATION OF
HIMACHAL PRADESH
SMALL SCALE AND
COTTAGE INDUSTRY

I B.COM F
 Introductions
• Himachal Pradesh is one of the prominent states of north
India.Majority of the population lives in villages. It is one
of the states having highest rural population.
• Himachal Pradesh is a state in the Punjab region in north-
west India. Himachal Pradesh is spread over 21,629 sq mi
(56,019 km²),[1] and is bordered by the Indian states of
Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-
west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on south, Uttarakhand
on south-east and by Tibet, China on the east. The literal
meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Region of snowy
mountains
 Culture
Himachal was one of the few states that had remained largely untouched
by external customs, largely due to its difficult terrain. With the
technological advancements the state has changed very rapidly. It is a
multireligional, multicultural as well as multilingual state like other
Indian states. The state is well known for its handicrafts. The carpets,
leather works, shawls, paintings, metalware, woodwork and paintings
are worth appreciating. Pashmina shawl is one of the products which
are highly in demand not only in Himachal but all over the country.
Himachali caps are also famous art work of the people. Extreme cold
winters of Himachal necessitated wool weaving. Nearly every
household in Himachal owns a pit-loom. Wool is also considered as
pure and is used as a ritual cloth. The well known woven object is the
shawl, ranging from fine pashmina to the coarse desar. Kullu is
famous for its shawls with striking patterns and vibrant colours.
 SMALL SCALE AND COTTAGE
INDUSTRIES
• The Small scale Industrial (SSI) Sector contributes significantly to the prime social
objective of providing employment opportunities to millions of people across the
country. The SSI sector has been contributing significantly to industrial production,
exports and national Gross Domestic Product. The sector has been assigned the target of
annual growth of 12% and creation of 4.4 million additional jobs.
• Being a labor-intensive sector, they offer a higher productivity of capital than capital-
intensive enterprises due to low investment per worker. The SSI today constitutes a very
important segment of the Indian economy as they help in dispersal of industries, rural
development, and the decentralization of economic power.
• The central discussion of this paper highlights the importance of small industries and
their role in the economy and the impact of economic reforms on growth pattern and
productivity performance of small-scale industries. However, this is not to say that there
are no shortcomings within the industry, or in public policy relating to it. Small
industries are faced with numerous problems major and minor, which make them either
uncompetitive, or sick. An attempt is made to address some solutions that can improve
their productivity by focusing on a sustainable vision.
• Over the last five decades, the small-scale Industries (SSI) sector has acquired a Place of
prominence in the economy of the Country. It has contributed significantly to the
Growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Employment generation and exports. The
Sector now includes not only SSI units but also Small scale service and business
enterprises(SSSBEs) and is thus referred to as the small Enterprises sector.
 COTTAGE INDUSTRIES
Cottage Industry is a specialized form of small scale industry where the production of the
commodity takes place in the homes and the labor is supplied by the family members only.
The machineries or means utilized for the production of the commodities generally are the
common ones used at homes. The basic characteristic feature of Cottage Industry is that it is
basically unorganized in nature and come under the group of small scale industry type.
The commodities that are being produced by these industries are basically consumable ones
and are produced through the utilization of the traditional techniques. Cottage Industry
especially started its function in the country sides of a country where unemployment along
with under-employment are prevalent. Thus, this industry helps the economy by absorbing a
huge amount of surplus labor of the rural economy. Another glaring feature of Cottage
Industry is that it is not a mass producer of commodities.
The main risk that is being faced by this industry is from the factory based medium or large
industries which are again capital intensive in nature. This is because of the fact that these
large industries utilize all sorts of cost effective technologies which enable them to supply the
products at low price. On the other hand, the Cottage Industry is basically labor intensive
and utilizes traditional techniques in production process which are generally not cost
effective in nature which escalates the price of their product. The products supplied by the
Cottage Industry thus face risk of extinction if they don't receive enough financial or other
form of support from the government.
Cottage Industry is often characterized by its enormous potential for employment
generation and the person getting employed is basically regarded as a self-employed one.
MALWA COTTON SPINNING MILLS LTD

Malwa is among the top ten textile mills in the

country. Malwa Cotton Spinning Mills Ltd, a
subsidiary of VSO Group, has a facility at
Paonta Sahib. The plant, which was set up in
1988, manufactures cotton, acrylic, polyester,
viscose and other synthetic fibres. The
Government of India awarded the group for
consistent performance in exports and ISO
9002 for quality assurance.
 INDUSTRIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The State Government has established 16
industrial areas, 11 export promotion parks
and 11 industrial estates with basic amenities
such as roads, power, sewerage, water,
communications and power supply. An
electronics complex has been developed at
Shoghi, near Shimla. The state has established
three agro export zones, including the one at
Parwanoo, which is one of the largest in Asia
 AGRO-BASED INDUSTRIES

The diverse agro-climatic conditions and fertile soil

enable the growth of horticulture produce in the
state. Himachal Pradesh recorded a total fruit
production of 0.56 million tonnes in 2003-04. Apple,
the dominant fruit crop, constitutes about 42 per cent
of the total area under fruit crops and 84 per cent of
the total fruit production in the state. Other fruit
crops include mango and litchi. Vegetable
production in the state increased from 25,000 tonnes
in 1951-52 to 731,000 tonnes in 2003-04. Animal
husbandry and dairy are key contributors to the
state’s income.
TEXTILES INDUSTRIES
In addition to handloom and handicrafts, sericulture is
one of the key cottage industries in the state. In 2003-
04, 114,000 kg reeling cocoons were produced. There
are about 50,000 handloom units primarily based on
wool. The main products of the textile industry in the
state are shawls, tweeds & blankets, woollen carpets,
traditional dresses and other handicrafts. The Baddi-
Barotiwala-Nalagrah belt in Solan district near
Chandigarh is fast emerging as a textile belt. The
valley has a dozen units with a total capacity of about
600,000 spindles. Another five units with an additional
capacity of 200,000 spindles are in the pipeline.
Stonework 
Thanks to the fair variety of stone found in this
hilly region, stone carving has been explored to
the fullest in Himachal. Numerous shikhara
(spired) stone temples dot the landscape. The
Lakshminarayan temples of Chamba and the
temples of Baijnath and Masrur in the Kangra
Valley are some splendid specimens of the kind.
Beautifully carved memorial stone slabs called
panihars are also found in several places,
especially near temples and fountains. 
Stone carvers in HP are hammering away at their
blocks even today, producing several artefacts of
domestic use widely available in the markets.
These include traditional stoves (angithi), circular
pots for storing (kundi), pestle and mortar (dauri
danda), mill stones (chakki) and other things. The
centres of sculpting in Himachal are concentrated
mainly in Mandi, Chamba, Kinnaur and the
Shimla Hills.
Metalwork 
In a land where religion rules daily life,
worship is bound to be an elaborate process.
Temples are replete with pretty objects needed
for worship, all fine specimens of metalwork. 
The metals used mainly are brass, copper, iron,
tin and bell metal. Apart from the exquisite
statuettes enshrined, there are several metal
objects like bells with artistically designed
handles, lamps, incense burners, low settees of
silver or brass, vessels and ornate musical
instruments in these temples.
In fact, the common lota (a small globular pot
for storing water) itself is available in so many
different forms all over the state that it’s
amazing. Similar things may be used as
everyday items at home.
Some of the more affluent homes possess
beautifully fashioned teapots, smoking pipes,
carved panels, doorknobs and various other
artefacts. Metal workers haven’t lost their
magic touch; this centuries old craft is still one
of the most vital traditions of the state. 
Jewellery 
Chunky bead-and-metal jewellery of the hill people is usually in great
demand. As with most tribal communities, the traditional attire includes
ornaments for almost all parts of the body. Markets abound with stalls
selling amulets, pendants, necklaces, daggers and rings – you’ll probably
want to take everything home! 
Fine jewellery is crafted out of silver and gold. The jewelers of the once-
Rajput kingdoms of Kangra, Chamba, Mandi and Kullu were famous for
their enameling skills.
They mainly worked with silver and were partial to deep blue and green
enameling. They created exquisite pieces like elliptical anklets, solid iron-
headed bangles, hair ornaments, peepal-leaf-shaped forehead ornaments,
necklaces known as chandanhaars (a bunch of long silver chains linked by
engraved or enameled silver plaques) and pendants with motifs of the
mother goddess.
An old Kangra pattern for silver anklets is a series of birds, archaic in
design, connected by silver links. Unfortunately most of this is old
jewellery and is no longer made. You could check it out in museums like
the Kangra Art Museum in Dharamsala, the State Museum in Shimla and
the Bhuri Singh Museum in Chamba.
of the jewellery that’s made now, coin necklaces are extremely popular
with pahari women. So much so that every pahari woman dreams of
owning one.
Chokers called kach (made of silver beads and triangular plaques) and the
collar-like hansali are also common. Heavy anklets, bangles and silver
bracelets (kare) – solid or filled with shellac – with clasps in the shape of
crocodile or lions heads are worn by all women.
In the Tibetan influenced Lahaul-Spiti, ornaments are studded with semi
precious stones like coral, turquoise, amber and mother-of-pearl. 
Shawls
Extremely fine and valuable shawls are a speciality
of Himachal and Kashmir. They are greatly sought
after by tourists from all over the world. 
In fact, shawl weaving is a major cottage industry in
HP. These shawls, both plain and patterned, are
made from the fine hair of pashmina goats. Pashm is
the wool of a certain Asian species of mountain
goat, Capra hircus.
The fine fleece used to make these shawls is that
which grows beneath the rough outer hair. Did you
know that the finest hair comes from the underbelly
which is shed with the onset of summer?
The right mix of wool gives beautiful shades of
grey, blue, mustard and black. Shawls in Kullu are
often woven from the wool of angora rabbits. The
borders of these plain-looking shawls are decorated
with dazzling geometric designs. Shawls of Lahaul-
Spiti, especially, are a riot of colours. (Also see
Kullu) 
Woollen Garments

Wool is an auspicious
thing in Himachal, and
no ritual occasion goes
without wearing
woollen clothes. A
quaint ritual during
weddings, for instance,
is to wrap the bride and
groom in a woollen
shawl to protect them
from evil eyes.
Embroidery 
Embroidery seems to be the favourite pastime of
pahari women, their nimble fingers busy with needle
and thread on lazy afternoons. Houses in HP are
replete with beautiful pieces like rumals (scarves),
coverlets, handfans, caps, cholis (bodices),
gaumukhi (prayer gloves) and such things.
The motifs are either from the traditional stock of
miniature painting, the landscape or are innovations
of the women themselves. This urge to create and
live with beautiful pieces is very much a part of
pahari culture.
The red and orange richly embroidered silk rumals
(scarves) of Chamba are simply beautiful. The
women of Chamba have traditionally made them for
a 1000 years now. These rumals are actually small
shawls meant to be used as head coverings.
They often depict scenes from the Mahabharata, the
Ramayana and the Raas-lila of Radha and Krishna.
The embroidery is done in silk yarn on tussar cloth
or fine cotton. The stitches are so fine that there is
no evidence of knots or loose threads. As such both
sides of the rumal are alike.
The ground is usually white or cream, but the
embroidery threads (usually red and orange) are in
striking contrast. A finely embroidered rumal can
take something like even a month to complete. 
Garments & Accessories
Himachalis simply love to dress
up. Their everyday wear is so
colourful that you’d think that
they were dressed up for a festive
occasion.
The Gujjars (a semi-nomadic
tribe) wear kurtas (long shirts)
which are delicately embroidered
with circular and linear patterns. 
The people of Chamba are majorly
fond of all sorts of accessories,
which include bright rumals
(scarves) worn by the women,
bangles and rings made of
horsehair and brightly patterned
grass shoes. Traditional Footwear
Rugs & Carpets
Carpets and blankets are almost synonymous with
Himachali furnishing. Their brilliant colours and
traditional motifs can make you forget your Persian
back home! You’ll be spellbound by their appearance
– Garudas (Vishnu’s mount, the eagle) perched on
flowering trees, dragons, swastikas (auspicious
Hindu/Buddhist emblem), flutes (symbolizing
happiness) and lotus blooms (signifying purity). 
In the higher reaches of the state, hillfolk rear sheep
and goats and weave the wool and hair into traditional
blankets, rugs and namdas (heavy rugs). Namdas are
made with beaten wool. In fact men spinning wool by
hand as they watch their flocks is a common sight in
Himachal. 
Fleecy soft blankets called gudmas are also very
popular. They are made from the wool of the Giangi
sheep. They come in natural wool colours and are
finished with a red or black edging. You’ll have a lot
of furnishings to choose from: thobis (floor coverings),
karcha (mattresses), which are made from goat hair,
pattoo cloth (like shawls), carpets and yarn made from
soft wool. Back To Top 
Kangra School of Paintings
Under the ambitious Sansar Chand
(1775-1823), the Kangra School
flourished happily. It is said that
Sansar’s love for a gaddi (a tribe of
Chamba-Kangra region) maiden drove
him to commission the paintings.
Kangra Fort, where he held court for
nearly 25 years, was once adorned with
paintings and attracted art lovers from
far and wide.
Later he moved his capital to Nadaun
and finally to Sujanpur Tira. The
temples and palaces at each of these
places were adorned with lovely
miniatures. The 1905 earthquake
damaged many of these buildings but
you can still see some of the miniature
wall paintings.
The Kangra style of Paintings
The Kangra style is by far the most poetic and
lyrical of Indian styles, says art historian J. C. Harle.
His favourite subject here is ‘the idealization of
woman, in flowing sari, head half-covered with a
shawl, demure but stately, passionate and shy’. The
more complex many-figured compositions – usually
larger and horizontal in format – tend to illustrate
events from the Krishna legend – the cowherd god
putting out a forest fire, subduing the serpent Kaliya,
or stealing the clothes of gopis (milkmaids of Braj)
while they were bathing in the river.
The ability to handle large groups of figures and
landscapes with towns or clusters of houses in the
distance is admirable. Apart from intricate
brushwork, Kangra miniatures are characterized by
the skillful use of brilliant mineral and vegetable
extract colours that possess an enamel-like lustre.
But the strangest thing about these hill paintings is
that you’ll never find snow-capped mountains in
them!
Research shows that while the Kangra style became
well-entrenched in the Hills, many offshoots
emerged in regions like Kullu, Nurpur, Chamba and
Mandi. The Bhuri Singh Museum in Chamba is
best-known for its exquisite collection of Pahari
miniatures. 
• ¤ Wood Carving 
Forests all over the state abound in pine and deodar, besides
walnut, horse chestnut and wild black mulberry. Wood has
been used to great effect in temples and lavishly built
palaces. The steep-roofed pine temples of northern HP
often bear relief figures carved on their outer walls.
Intricately carved seats, doors, windows and panels speak
volumes of the craftspersons’ skill. The Bhimakali Temple
of Sarahan is a perfect product of the kind.
Woodcarving is still a living tradition in HP. Pahari artisans
use wood to make intricate jalis, trelliswork or perforated
reliefs that filter light, transforming the interiors of a
building with the play of light and shade and balancing
mass with delicacy.
The carpenters of both villages and towns make beautiful
objects of everyday use like vedis (low benches), bedlegs,
cradles, bedsteads, low settees, boxes, ladles, churners,
rolling pins, wooden utensils, charkhas (spinning wheels)
and hukka nari (the pipe and body of the smoking pipe).
You might like to take back something from their range of
fruit bowls, beermugs, wooden jewellery, decorative boxes
and carved images. Bamboo and willow bark is also
stripped and fashioned into sturdy trays and baskets.
THANK YOU