Martban/Ceramic Kitchenware of Thangadh, Gujarat

Thangadh is a small town; a cluster of all kinds of ceramic ware, ranging from toys to sanitary. It is approximate 2-3 hours from Ahmedabad. It is really interesting to see all kinds of production and skills being practiced in this small cluster.

Thangadh, the ceramic hub of India is an industrial town located southwest of Surendranagar. With over 300 small and medium scale units producing sanitary ware, firebricks and tiles that are largely exported to the Gulf and African countries.These ceramics are made of non-refractory fireclay and fired in high temperature.

Thangadh was also once the hub of the ceramic pickle jars/martbans and yogurt setting bowls that were ubiquitous in Indian kitchens. The Martaban was wheel thrown while its lid was mould cast. Once ubiquitous in Indian kitchens where it was used to preserve pickle these martabans are now hard to get.

This kitchenware was produced in standard colors of deep mustard often combined with white. The pickle jars/martabans fitted with lids were available in a range of sizes. Because of the properties of the ceramic material used it was believed that the pickles stored in these jars never spoiled and retained their properties over long periods of time.