1.
BIDARIWARE METAL CRAFT
What is Bidariware craft?
Metal Handicraft made from a metal which is a blackened alloy of zinc and copper
inlaid with thin sheets of pure silver or gold.
For blackening the alloy, special type of low-salt soil is needed found in unlit portions of old
Deccani forts
Bidri designs patterns - Asharfi-ki-booti, stars, vine creepers and stylized poppy plants with
flowers.
Traditional designs include the Persian Rose and passages from the Quran in Arabic
script.
How and when it is originated?
Allauddin Behman Shah, 2nd king of Bahmani kingdom is credited for introducing Bidri
craft.
It is originated in Bidar Karnatka in the 14th century C.E. during the rules of Bahamani
Sultans.
Its roots go back to the craftsmen of Persia who were working in India on the forts and
palaces of the Bahamani Sultans.
Why it is called Bidriware?
Since it originated in Bidar, Karnatka it was named Bidriware.
Bidar is the chief centre for manufacture of Bidriware craft.
What are the salient features of craft?
Gold and silver engravings on Zinc-Copper alloy
Magnificent black color
Has become a symbol of affluence and symbol of wealth
One of the prized export handicrafts because of its finesse and exclusivity
Complex geometrical and floral patterns
What are the other parts of India where Bidriware craft is manufactured?
Hyderabad, Purnia (Bihar), Murshidabad (WB) and Lucknow in UP
How it is manufactured?
There are 4 stages
Casting involves moulding clay
Engraving engraving designs with a pure silver wire of 95% purity
Inlaying articles treated with old soil giving it black color
Oxidising oil is rubbed to deepen the black coat matting
Issues involved
Has started losing significance, craftsmen has shifted from larger items to smaller items
to attract common masses and sustain their livelihood.
Plastic with silver paint is being sold in the name of Bidriware
Awareness among the masses is needed
Why it is placed in red topics?
Because an ancient map of Bidar has been found in London in 2014 and Dr. Royle, famous
botanist book Karnatka Bidri book released this year. He also introduced the craft in great
exhibition held in London in 1851 which gave the craft a global exposure
2. STEPPE CLIMATE
Distribution
Northern Hemisphere
Borders the deserts away from Mediterranean regions
Lie in Western wind belt
Eurasia(Steppes), stretch eastwards from shores of Black Sea across the great Russian
plain to the foothills of Altai Mountains
Isolated sections in Pustaz of Hungary and plains of Manchuria
North America (Prairies) b/w foothills of Rockies and Great Lakes
Southern Hemisphere
Argentina (Pampas), Uruguay
South Africa b/w Drakensberg and Kalahari Desert
Australia Murray-Darling Basin of southern Australia
Climate
Temperature - since they are located in centre of the continents they have little maritime
influence. Climate is continental with extremes of temperature.
Summers are very warm (upto 40o C)
Winters are very cold (upto -40 o C)
In southern hemisphere, climate is not severe owing to moderating effects of oceans
Annual range of temperature is high
Precipitation
Average rainfall is about 20 inches varying according to different locations
Southern Hemisphere rainfall is more than average because of the warm ocean currents
Period of drought is also there pronounced in areas near to deserts
Local Wind
Chinook is a local wind that comes in south-westerly direction to prairies in Canada and
U.S.A. It comes with the depressions in winter or early spring from pacific coast ascending the
Rockies and then descending the Prairies.
It is hot wind
Raise the temp by 4oC
It melts the snow-covered pastures help in grazing of animals.
Natural vegetation
Temperate grasslands of mid-latitudes Steppes, Praries, Pampas, Veld and Downs
Steppes
Grass covered
Difference from tropical savanna treeless and grasses are shorter
Type - Long and short
It can lie dormant throughout the drought and grow again in favorable conditions
Prairie
Grass of wheat lands in NA, chernozen areas of Russian Ukraine and Asiatic steppes
Tall grasses with average rainfall is above 20 inches
Other Features
Grasslands are dominated by nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples
o Kirghiz Asiatic Steppes
o Red Indians NA
Grasslands are also called granaries of world as they are used for extensive wheat
cultivation
Pastoral farming prevalent in some areas
