Handmade Locks of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Aligarh is widely known for its beautiful handcrafted locks. The craftspeople specialize in making a wide variety of locks such as puzzle locks, locks with different keys, handcuff (hathkadi locks), intricately designed ones, or ones with false holes. There used to be a time when the lock industry in Aligarh catered to high export demands. Today the locks are merely recognized for their ornamental value.

Brass which is 60 percent copper and 40 percent zinc is used as the base material for these locks. Moulds are in brass as well. Tools for filing the object and buffing machine are used to make the finished item. Several kind sof polsihes are used to give the locks a distinct look such as antique, copper finish and normal brass. The keys as well as the sandcasted levers in the locks are also handmade.