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Hind Pocket Charkha

1923-1947 (made)
Artist/Maker
The Oriental Industries (Manufactured by)
Place of origin
Pune (manufactured)

This hand-operated pocket-sized stainless steel charkha (spinning wheel) uses a spring mechanism to enable cotton spinning by hand. It was produced and marketed during India's independence movement, during which the economic strategy of swadeshi (self-sufficiency) was critical to the nationalist platform. The printed insert promotes the value of giving such pocket charkhas to children to make them "spinning-minded".

Object details

Categories
Tools & Equipment
Politics
Object type
Hind Pocket Charkha
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Box Lid
  • Box
  • Leaflet
  • Spindle
  • Charkha
Materials and techniques
Stainless steel, paper, cardboard
Stainless Steel
Cardboard
Paper
Brief description
Stainless steel hand-held charkha, with original box and printed paper insert, labelled and stamped as 'The Hind Pocket Charkha'.
Physical description
Stainless steel hand-held spinning mechanism (charkha) with detachable spindle, with original labelled cardboard box and printed paper insert
Dimensions
  • Box lid height: 4cm
  • Box lid depth: 4.5cm
  • Box lid width: 14.5cm
  • Box height: 4cm
  • Box depth: 4cm
  • Box width: 14cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Wonderful Invention of Modern Times / The Hind Pocket Charkha / Patented / Manufactured by / The Oriental Industries / 599, Sachapir Street, Poona (Label on box lid, with of map of India superimposed by image of charkha with PAT. No. 31853 over top and 'The Hind Pocket Charkha' inscribed around)
  • Jai Hind (Label on box lid, with Jai Hind written in Devanagari characters over a Swaraj Flag)
    Translation
    "Victory to India / Long Live India"
  • The Hind Pocket Charkha Patent 31853 (Stamped into top side of charkha, surrounding shape of India)
  • WONDERFUL INVENTION OF MODERN TIMES / The Hind Pocket Charkha / (PATENTED) / A Novel Form of National Toy that makes a Child Spinning-Minded. / In the invention of the "Hind Pocket Charkha" a long awaited and a nation-wide demand has been created, in that it has replaced the age old 'Takli' and has proved a boon to the children as an interesting form of Toy of great educational value. / This National Toy renders invaluable help to School Children to train their hands in the art of Spinning, before they are made to work on the big type of wooden Charkha. / This Hind Pocket Charkha is very cheap, simple to operate and is so constructed that it serves as a Pocket Companion. / Price Rs. 3/8 each. / HERE'S ANOTHER ATTRACTIVE FEATURE / The "Hind Pocket Charkha" made of Pure Silver, serves as a unique decorative article of presentation on all festive occasions. / Silver Charkhas can also be given away as Prizes in Schools. / Price Rs. 28/- each. / MANUFACTURED BY / THE ORIENTAL INDUSTRIES. / 599, SACHAPIR STREET, POONA 1./ Provincial, District Agents and Distributors wanted throughout India. (Leaflet insert text is accompanied by a photograph of three children spinning with pocket charkhas, an instructional lllustration showing how the charkha is used, and an illustration of the silver charkha in a presentation box. )
Gallery label
A patriotic children’s toy

The ‘charkha’ (spinning wheel) became an object of political significance during India’s independent movement (1920s– 40s). ‘Swadeshi’, or self-sufficiency, and the process of spinning cotton were central to Indian national identity at this time and a stainless steel ‘charkha’ for children was introduced. Its packaging and leaflet speak of making children ‘spinning-minded’ and self-sufficient. India declared independence from British colonial rule in 1947.

Hand-operated spinning wheel
1923–47
Manufactured by The Oriental Industries, India
Stainless steel, paper leaflet and cardboard box
Given by Claire Wilcox
Museum no. IS.83:1 to 5-2016

The object sits in the 'Crisis and Conflict' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.
Credit line
Given by Claire Wilcox
Summary
This hand-operated pocket-sized stainless steel charkha (spinning wheel) uses a spring mechanism to enable cotton spinning by hand. It was produced and marketed during India's independence movement, during which the economic strategy of swadeshi (self-sufficiency) was critical to the nationalist platform. The printed insert promotes the value of giving such pocket charkhas to children to make them "spinning-minded".
Collection
South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number
IS. 83-2016

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Record createdAugust 28, 2015
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1320537/hind-pocket-charkha-the-oriental-industries/
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