The story
Moradabad is called Peetal Nagri, the brass city. Brass utensils and engraved artware were made here for centuries, and after Independence exporters built a large trade in metal handicrafts for buyers in the US and Europe. The work runs on a job-work chain: exporters take orders, karkhanedaars organise production, and skilled artisans do casting, engraving, polishing and plating, mostly from their homes in the old city. Over time the cluster moved from pure brass to aluminium, iron, glass and mixed-material products.
In numbers
In 2022-23, metal craft and related items' exports amounted to Rs 61.96 billion, which is 60 percent of the total exports (Rs 98.64 billion) from Moradabad district.
ISID Working Paper 281: Role of Clusters in the Growth of MSMEs - A Case Study of Moradabad Metal Craft Cluster · 2024Approximately 2.5 lakh artisans with different skill levels are working in this craft.
ISID Working Paper 281: Role of Clusters in the Growth of MSMEs - A Case Study of Moradabad Metal Craft Cluster · 2024Interactions revealed that there are around 4,500 exporters of metal crafts in the city.
ISID Working Paper 281: Role of Clusters in the Growth of MSMEs - A Case Study of Moradabad Metal Craft Cluster · 2024Approximately 40-50 percent of metal craft exports in India have origin in Moradabad (Katyal, 2016, as cited).
ISID Working Paper 281: Role of Clusters in the Growth of MSMEs - A Case Study of Moradabad Metal Craft Cluster · 2024
GI tag
- Moradabad Metal Craft (Word Mark)Application no. GI Application No. 161; Registration No. 205GI Registry, IP India - Application 161: Moradabad Metal Craft (Word Mark)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Job work in casting, polishing, electroplating and lacquer coating for exporters
- Packing, cartons and export-compliance services
- Scrap metal and brass ingot trading
- Design and sampling studio for new product ranges
Problems the cluster faces
- Artisans leaving the craft for other work and other states
- Falling export incentives and buyer pressure on price
- Pollution from plating and polishing units in the old city
- Competition from China and other low-cost exporters
Businesses to start here
Metal Handicraft Unit →Brass Utensils (Thali Sets) →Pooja Brass Wares (Idols, Lamps, Bells) →Non-Ferrous Castings Foundry (Brass, Bronze, Gun Metal) →Brass (Metal) Jewellery Making →Metal Scrap Recycling Unit →