Roots, Origin and glorious past
Salim’s Paper
The history of the clan of Khanzad Kagzis (Paper makers) dates back to the 14th century during the reign of Feroz Shah Barbak (1336 AD) at Tizara in Alwar district of Rajasthan – India. The origin of this clan of kagzi is in India. Their ancestors were not migrated from Central Asia as commonly believed.
Khanzad were a significant entity during Syed dynasty of Delhi Sultanate. The characteristics and different variety of papers made by them at Tizara earned a lot of fame and popularity especially for white paper. It was mostly used by royalties for official documents, miniature paintings, calligraphy, copying of religious books, especially Quran-e-pak and for account books of traders.
Khanzad Kagzi were brought to Amber by Raja Man Singh I (1579-1614) ruler of Amber by the end of the 16th century. He was also the chief of Army of the Akbar the Great. He was also given the title of Farzand (Prince) by this Mughal Emperor. Raja Man Singh was great lover and connoisseur of art, craft and literature. Kagzis were first settled at Brahampuri in Amber. This place is still known as Kagziwada (dwelling of Kagzis). However there was acute shortage of water an essential requirement for paper making at Brahampuri. Therefore they were shifted to Sanganer situated on the bank of river Saraswati just before the foundation of the Jaipur city (1727). Sanganer was established by Sanga a real younger brother of Bhanmal, grand father of Raja Man Singh. When Raja Man Singh was governor of Punjab and posted at SIALKOT, a prominent paper producing center at that time in India, a special paper was developed by Kagzi there to honor him. This paper was given name Man Singh Shahi.
Sanganer emerged as one of the biggest paper making center in western India. Humming with rhythm of the sound of stamper-pulverizer and other paper making activities. This paper village excelled in developing its own variety of papers with special effect such as Ishwar Shahi, Do Mori etc. for different usage.
DOOM’S DAY
During alien rule the craft of handmade paper making received a severe set back because of the policy of the then rulers to import mill-made paper from west. The craft was at the verge of extinction in mid of nineteenth century. At Sanganer, only a couple of families continued their traditional profession facing abject poverty. The family of Janab Allah Bax was one of them. He was a legendary figure and master craftsman in paper making.
When the craft of paper making was breathing last, apart from patronage extended by the ruler of Jaipur Swai Man Singh (II) Kagzis received a lot of support and moral boosting from Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi made arrangements for purchase of handmade paper from Kagzis of Sanganer. He deputed a special envoy to Sanganer for this purpose. At the instance of Mahatma Gandhi Allah Bux demonstrated the art of paper making in Haripura Congress – A.I.C.C. session in 1938.
REJUVENATOR
Salimuddin Kagzi a Father figure of Sanganer, popularly known Salim Bhai is the head of the Salim’s Paper group of enterprises. He joined his father Allah Bux Sahab at the age of fifteen after schooling. His father while he was on death bed took oath from his son Salim to continue the family profession of paper making after him. Mr. Salim kept the words given to his father. He started in a very humble way the handmade paper making in a small shed.
