From Persia to Pink City: The Multicultural History Of Jaipur’s Blue Pottery

Though it’s famously known as the Pink City, blue pottery is one of Jaipur’s most celebrated traditional crafts. Several generations of artisans have passed their artistic methods down their lineage, making blue pottery a cultural staple. Yet, many may not know that this beloved Rajasthani craft’s roots are not that Indian after all. 

It all started with the Mongols. Under the hand of Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire invaded Persia in the early 13th Century ultimately solidifying their stronghold over the region in the mid-1200s. With power came Persia’s rich supply of cobalt, the ore responsible for the vibrant blues we see in pottery traditions across Asia today, which then made its way across the continent, travelling along the Silk Road to China. 

By this point, Chinese artisans already had established pottery traditions, but the influx of cobalt from Persia allowed them to refine their craft, leading to the development of Chinese porcelain as we know it today. That’s right, China’s iconic blue and white porcelain is cut from the same cloth as Jaipur’s pottery. 

Mongol artisans took inspiration from Chinese glazing techniques and Persian aesthetics to develop an entirely unique pottery approach. Rather than using kaolin, the primary ingredient used for porcelain, they used multani mitti, also known as Fuller’s earth, and designs similar, but not identical, to the geometric compositions of the Persians. 

As the Mongols continued their venture to establish global dominance, their constant migrations brought their craft to the Mughals, who eventually carried these traditions to Kashmir. These skills were then used to make decorative tiles and structures, but blue pottery didn’t rise to the heights of its popularity until centuries later.

Jaipur finally met blue pottery in the 17th century, shortly after the city’s inception. Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur’s founder, invited craftsmen from across the country to find a new home in his city, establishing it as an artistic hub to this day. Blue pottery was widely adored within Jaipur and was used throughout its palaces and museums. It wasn’t smooth sailing from this point onwards, however. While, today, we conside blue pottery a staple in Jaipur’s culture, the art form had all but gone extinct by the 1950s. 

Art is dependent on the passing down of knowledge, whether it be from teacher to tutee or father to son. This is part of why India’s ability to retain so much of our cultural heritage in the face of colonisation and historical strife is so impressive; it’s a testament to the importance of community and cultural celebration. However, when master potters refused to share what they knew with others, later generations of artisans grew disinterested in the craft. 

However, it only takes one passionate person to change history’s course. Ceramic artist Kripal Singh Shekhawat made it his mission to revive Jaipur’s dying art. After a lifetime of painting,  Shekhawat delved into the world of pottery to not just revive, but reinvent the art of blue pottery through his discovery of new pigments and design styles. Modern blue pottery would not be what it is without Shekhawat’s efforts. 

Blue pottery’s relevance to this day is more than just a testament to India’s long artisanal history; it’s a miracle born of multigenerational, multicultural exchange. The beautiful glazed products we find in Jaipur today are markers of a longstanding artistic legacy, touched by thousands of hands to make blue pottery what it is today. 

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