Chaudhary Jawahar Singh
Chaudhary Jawahar Singh Chaudhary, son of Chaudhary Bhupat Singh, was a resident of Nagla Shekha village, Post Bisawar, District Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. He was a prominent, respected and prosperous personality of his time and played an important role in establishing and developing the silver-working tradition in the Bisawar–Nagla Shekha region. His life and work represent an interesting journey from a village in Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai's renowned jewellery market, and back again to his native region, where the skills he acquired became the foundation of a flourishing local cottage industry.
Learning the Art of Silver Work in Mumbai
According to local accounts and historical references, in the early period some people from the Bisawar and Nagla Shekha region travelled to Mumbai (then Bombay) in search of employment and opportunities. Chaudhary Jawahar Singh and his associates learnt the specialised techniques of silver work there, including melting and processing silver, making fine silver wire (Taarpatti) and manufacturing traditional silver ornaments such as anklets, bells and other articles. After gaining experience and expertise in Mumbai, Chaudhary Jawahar Singh returned to his native area along with his associates. They started silver-work units on a small scale in Bisawar and Nagla Shekha and gradually developed the work into a recognised local industry.
Development of the Silver Industry in Bisawar
The knowledge and skills brought back from Mumbai gradually spread among the local people. Other families and young artisans also learnt the craft, and the work slowly developed into a cottage industry. Bisawar and the Nagla Shekha area subsequently became well known for silver products, particularly:
- Silver anklets (Payal)
- Silver bells (Ghungroo)
- Fine silver wire (Taarpatti)
- Traditional silver ornaments and related articles
Even today, the Bisawar and Nagla Shekha region is recognised for its traditional silver-work industry. Local historical accounts and references have particularly associated the beginning and development of this silver-working tradition with Chaudhary Jawahar Singh and other skilled contemporary artisans of the area.
Direct Business Connection with Mumbai
Chaudhary Jawahar Singh's business association with Mumbai continued even after he established silver work in his native region. He maintained direct commercial links with major bullion and jewellery markets in Mumbai for procuring raw material and marketing finished products. This long-standing connection with Mumbai became an important part of the family's identity. The family's association with Mumbai was so strong that even today they are locally known by names such as "Chandi Wale" and "Bombay Wale."
His Business Establishment in Jhaveri Bazaar, Mumbai
One of the significant achievements in Chaudhary Jawahar Singh's business career was his establishment in Mumbai. He owned his own gold and silver shop in the famous Jhaveri Bazaar of Mumbai, one of India's historic jewellery and bullion markets. His business success in Mumbai went beyond being an individual trader. At one point, he also served as the Chairman of the Sona-Chandi Bazaar Committee, Mumbai, reflecting the respect and position he held within the gold and silver trading community. This achievement was particularly notable for a person who had originated from a village in the Bisawar region and had built a strong presence in one of India's most important jewellery markets.
Contribution to the Local Community
After returning from Mumbai, Chaudhary Jawahar Singh and his associates helped introduce and develop specialised silver-working skills in the Bisawar–Nagla Shekha area. Over time, the work expanded from a few workshops into a cottage-industry network involving many local families and artisans. The skills associated with silver wire, anklets, bells and traditional ornaments became an important part of the economic and cultural identity of the region. Thus, Chaudhary Jawahar Singh's contribution was not limited to his own business. His work also helped create an environment in which the traditional craft could be passed from one generation to another.
Haveli and Silver Workshop at Nagla Shekha
The legacy of Chaudhary Jawahar Singh can still be seen at Nagla Shekha. His haveli and the old silver-work premises/factory continue to be associated with the family's history. The family's continued presence in the area has kept alive the memory of his contribution to the development of the silver trade.
A Family Remembered as "Chandi Wale" and "Bombay Wale"
Even today, members of the family are popularly identified in the surrounding area by names such as "Chandi Wale" and "Bombay Wale." These names are not merely family identifiers; they also reflect the two major aspects of Chaudhary Jawahar Singh's legacy—the establishment of silver work in the native region and his long-standing business association with Mumbai.
Family Legacy
The family continued to maintain a distinguished presence in subsequent generations. Chaudhary Jawahar Singh's Son, Chaudhary Virendra Singh, served in a senior position in the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). Chaudhary Virendra Singh had three sons:
Chaudhary Onkar Singh (Bohre Ji) Chaudhary Vikram Singh Chaudhary Bhoodev Singh
Chaudhary Onkar Singh (Bohre Ji) had one son, Krishna Kumar, who is presently serving in the Indian Air Force. Thus, the family's journey continued across different fields—from traditional silver craftsmanship and jewellery trade to public service and service to the nation.
Recognition Through the Media and Local Historical Accounts
The history of silver work in Bisawar and Nagla Shekha has attracted attention from journalists and local writers on several occasions. Journalists have often visited the family to learn about the history of the silver industry, its origins and the role played by earlier generations. Articles and features concerning the region and its traditional silver craft have also appeared from time to time in newspapers and other media.
A reference appearing in Navbharat Times describes the historical development of silver work in the Bisawar–Nagla Shekha area. The account mentions that people from the region went to Mumbai to learn silver craftsmanship and later returned to their villages, where they started silver-work units. It also associates the beginning of this tradition particularly with Chaudhary Jawahar Singh and other contemporary skilled artisans.
According to the same account, the craft gradually developed into a cottage industry, with silver anklets, ghungroo and fine silver wire (taarpatti) becoming particularly associated with the area. These media references are valuable in documenting the traditional history of the region and preserving the memories associated with the families and artisans who contributed to its development.
Legacy of Chaudhary Jawahar Singh
Chaudhary Jawahar Singh Chaudhary's story is not simply the story of a successful businessman. It is the story of a person who acquired specialised skills in Mumbai, brought those skills back to his native region, established a business, developed connections with one of India's major jewellery markets and contributed to the spread of traditional silver craftsmanship among local families. His journey from Nagla Shekha and Bisawar to Mumbai's Jhaveri Bazaar and back to his native region remains an important part of the family's history.
His legacy continues through:
The traditional silver-work industry of Bisawar and Nagla Shekha The family's historical association with Mumbai's jewellery trade The old haveli and silver-work premises at Nagla Shekha The family names "Chandi Wale" and "Bombay Wale"
The subsequent generations who have contributed in different professional fields Media and local historical references that continue to document the family's contribution
Conclusion
Chaudhary Jawahar Singh Chaudhary occupies a significant place in the remembered history of the Bisawar–Nagla Shekha region. His entrepreneurial journey, his association with Mumbai's gold and silver trade, his establishment in Jhaveri Bazaar and his role in bringing specialised silver-working skills back to his native region form a remarkable chapter in the history of the area. His story demonstrates how traditional knowledge acquired in a major commercial centre can be brought back to a rural community and gradually develop into an industry that continues across generations. For the people of Bisawar and Nagla Shekha, the names "Chandi Wale" and "Bombay Wale" continue to serve as a living reminder of the legacy of Chaudhary Jawahar Singh Chaudhary.
References
Navbharat Times – Published/reported material concerning the traditional silver industry of the Bisawar–Nagla Shekha region, including accounts of the origin and development of silver work, the role attributed to Chaudhary Jawahar Singh and contemporary artisans, the Mumbai connection, and the growth of silver craftsmanship as a cottage industry in the area.