Ghanti: from Saganbhai

Content Description

The Ghanti is a traditional quern-stone composed of two discs of rock, approx. 15 cm in diameter, placed one atop the other, with a wooden handle inserted into the upper slab. Made of stone, iron, and wood, this hand-held rotary quern was used to process cereal grains into flour: grain is poured into the central opening of the top slab, and the upper stone is turned in a circular motion by the wooden handle until the grain is ground.

Condition Description

The Ghanti is in fair to good condition, with both stone slabs intact but showing expected signs of regular household use over its approximately century-long lifespan. The iron reinforcement at the connection between stones and handle exhibits minor corrosion but remains functional.

Accession Date

2025-06-07

Dispostion

The digitized version of this object has been moved into Archives at NCBS after digitizing.

Acquisition Type

Loan

Provenance

The Ghanti was shown to the Conservation indica team on 7th July 2025 by Saganbhai of Gugaliyana village, Chotila. Conservation indica team has thus far photographed it. After learning the process of digitization, the team will re-photograph it and digitize it to upload on Archives at NCBS.

Retention Rule

The physical material is currently on loan from donor Saganbhai to CI. The document will be under CI’s custody as a loan until its digitization in August 2025, after which it will be passed down to its owner. The digitized copies will be housed at NCBS and CI. CI plans to keep a copy of the digitized document for further consultation by local communities and researchers in the future

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for access unless mentioned in specific folders of the finding aid.

Use Restrictions

Copyright may not have been assigned to Archives at NCBS. Permission for reproduction or distribution must be obtained in writing from the Archives at NCBS (archives@ncbs.res.in). See access guidelines for more information (https://archives.ncbs.res.in/access). The Archives at NCBS makes no representation that it is the copyright owner in all of its collections. The user must obtain all necessary rights and clearances before use of material and material may only be reproduced for academic and non-commercial use.