How Kashmiri Copper Pots Are Made — Beaten by Hand in Old Srinagar

Every Kashmiri kitchen has a line of decorated copper utensils — locally known as traam.

The copper plate that holds the evening meal. The samovar — the ornate, two-chambered tea vessel — that sits at the centre of every guest gathering. The naer (water jug), the tash-near (portable handwash), the engraved bowls and trays that are gifted at weddings, carried as part of a bride’s trousseau, and passed from one generation to the next.

This is not decorative copper. This is functional copper — objects used daily, that carry the warmth and smell of every meal cooked in them, that acquire a patina over decades no factory product can replicate.

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The History of Copper in Kashmir

References to metalwork appear in the Rajatarangini — the 12th-century chronicle of Kashmiri kings. The craft received a significant boost in the 14th century when Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani arrived from Central Asia with craftsmen skilled in refined copper and brasswork. The craft deepened under Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin’s patronage in the 15th century, and reached new heights during the Mughal period, when royal karkhanas produced engraved copper and brassware for court use.

“We have been running this business for centuries,” one Srinagar coppersmith told the Daily Excelsior. “My ancestors learned this craft during the Mughal era. The learning requires patience and natural skills. It is very intricate work and needs hard labour and time.”

The Craft: Four Artisans, One Object

Stage 1: The Thanthur — The Beater

The first artisan beats raw copper sheets entirely by hand — striking and rotating the metal repeatedly against an anvil, gradually forming it into shape. The hammering is physically demanding, and the workshops of old Srinagar were historically identifiable by their sound alone.

Stage 2: The Chargar — The Finisher

The Chargar files and smooths the surface, removing hammer marks and preparing the object for engraving.

Stage 3: The Naqashkar — The Engraver

The Naqashkar incises traditional designs directly into the copper surface — floral motifs, geometric borders, Quranic calligraphy, chinar leaves, arabesque patterns. The engraving is done freehand, by eye, without stencils. The most elaborate samovars can take days to engrave.

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Stage 4: The Kalaisaaz — The Polisher

The final specialist polishes the engraved object, bringing out the characteristic warm reddish-gold lustre. Some objects are also tinned on the interior to make them food-safe.

What Gets Made

The range includes traam (copper plates), naer (water jugs), tash-near (handwash basins), cooking vessels, bowls, ladles, engraved trays, vases, lamp shades, and the iconic samovar — the traditional Kashmiri tea urn used for serving noon chai (salted pink tea) and kahwa.

The Craft Under Pressure

Machine-made copper utensils have captured most of the everyday market. “The demand for copper and brass articles has decreased as people prefer to buy machine-made copper utensils which they get at a low price,” one artisan said. “The uniqueness of each piece coming out of the hands of an artisan cannot be replicated by any machine.” The number of active Thanthur families in Srinagar has fallen sharply over the past two decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kashmiri copper craft called?
The engraving work is called Kandkari or Naqashkari. Copper objects are collectively known as traam.

What is a Kashmiri samovar?
A traditional tea urn with two chambers — one for tea and one for burning charcoal. Used to serve kahwa and noon chai. A hand-beaten, engraved samovar is one of the finest expressions of Kashmiri copperware.

How many artisans make one copper piece?
Four: the Thanthur (beater), Chargar (finisher), Naqashkar (engraver), and Kalaisaaz (polisher). Each is a specialist.

Where is Kashmiri copper craft made?
Primarily in old Srinagar — Kawdara, Shehr-e-Khaas, Zaina Kadal, SR Gunj, and MR Gunj.

Conclusion

Kashmiri copper craft is a four-person operation that produces objects as functional as they are beautiful. The workshops of old Srinagar are quieter now than they once were — but they are still there, producing work that no machine can match.

At Kashmir Origin, we source authentic Kashmiri copper pieces directly from Valley artisans. No machine-made substitutes.

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Published by Kashmir Origin — A Brand for Products Originating in Kashmir