Under the museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month in the indoor exhibition building – Veethi Sankul.
The exhibit for the month of May, 2017 is - Charkha Spinning wheel from Punjab. The 'exhibit of the month' has been inaugurated by Member of Forum of Museums of Bhopal - Mangala Anuja, Sanjay Yadav, Manoj Sharma, KK Sinha, Ela Shankar Guha, and Rajukar Raj. This exhibit was collected and curated by Soma Kiro (Asstant Curator) and. Kiranbala Sharma (Jr Accountant).
The spinning wheel used to weave or yarn thread for clothing all over India, is popularly known as ‘Charkha’. It has wooden made wheel for spinning the thread. In our country this object is seen as matter of pride, as once it was a symbol of independence movement. The Charkha, a small portable hand cranked wheel is very much ideal for spinning cotton and other short (stable fibres).
Many sources indicate that Spinning Wheel was invented in India, between 500 and 1000 CE It is said that the spinning wheel evolved from ancient times when spinning was done on a spindle, which is basically a stick with a stone or weight attached. The discovery of large numbers of spindles and spinning wheels at Mohenjo-Daro testifies existence of Charkha in Indian sub-continent. In due course of time with the introduction of machines the traditional wheel is now at the verge of extinction.
Today there are many varieties of spinning wheels having different names but they basically follow the traditional styles from the past. It is manufactured by the shilpshastris (craft experts) from wood of Babool, Neem, Shisham etc.