Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh is known as the Glass City of India. It has been a major glassmaking hub for the past two centuries. Firozabad has also emerged as the largest producer of glass bangles in the world. This craft appears intertwined with the cultural fabric of the region.

The Firozabad glass industry has a rich heritage, dating back to the 16th century. This was when the Mughal emperor Akbar established a glass factory. Skilled artisans, known as kanchhkar, handcrafted exquisite jhad (chandeliers), fanus (lamps), and vials for perfumes. They enjoyed patronage from their clientele, the royal and aristocratic families.

In recent times, the repertoire of glass-making has expanded. The artisans, working in karshanas or workshops, now offer a wide array of products. This includes bangles, toys, kitchenware, home goods and décor items. Bangle-making is a thriving cottage industry, owing to their popularity among married women. This gave the place its other nickname, Suhag Nagri.

To make bangles, artisans twist molten glass into a tight spiral around a mandrel (a tapered tool) and cut and shape them into circles, decorated with nicks and other patterns. Glass can also be recycled in wood-fired furnaces, known as bhainsa bhatti.

The long history of glass-making meant Firozabad was certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the craft in 2014.

Haji Rustam Ustad played a pivotal role in modernising Firozabad’s glass industry. He introduced new technologies, and is often called the "Father of Firozabad Glass".

Any information on this page is anecdotal and based on publicly available details. If you're interested in learning more, click here.