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 Steppeso Red Indians – NA

Grasslands are also called granaries of world as they are used for extensive wheat cultivation

Pastoral farming prevalent in some areas