The Jat ruler Surajmal in 1753, with patronage from Jai Singh of Jaipur and the Muslim army occupied the fort of Koil, the Bargujar Raja Bahadur Singh continued the battle from another fort under them and died fighting in what is known as the “Battle of Ghasera”.

It was re-named Ramgarh and finally, when a Shia commander, Najaf Khan, captured Kol, he gave it its present name of Aligarh. Aligarh Fort (also called Aligarh Qila), as it stands today, was built by French engineers under the control of French officers Benoît de Boigne and Perron. The city of Aligarh has long been known all over the country for its 125 years old lock industry. In fact, the city is known as “the city of locks”. Currently, Aligarh is home to nearly 10,500 lock manufacturing units producing around 6 Lacs locks per day, Aligarh is also known for Aligarh Muslim University which is one the largest education centres of UP. People from all across India come here for pursuing their higher education. The Aligarh district of UP has atotal area of 3700.4 Sq.Km. District lies on the plane of rivers Ganga and Yamuna.

Aligarh District is situated in the south western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, Aligarh is located at the coordinates 27.88°N 78.08°E. It has an elevation of approximately 178 meters (587 feet). The city is in the middle portion of the doab, the land between the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers. The Grand Trunk Road passes through it via NH-91 is 134 km from capital of India. Aligarh is well connected by both road and rail with the city being a major railway junction. There are trains connecting Aligarh to both Delhi and Lucknow at regular interval. The drive time between Aligarh and Delhi is only 3 hours. The nearest international airport from Aligarh is Delhi and a new airport is coming up in Jewar which will make air connectivity from Aligarh even better.

Aligarh district is a part of Central Ganga Plain of the state covering an area of 3700.4 sq.km. The district is bounded by river Ganga in the west and the river Yamuna in the east. The entire district falling in Upper- Ganga doab represents flat topography. The irrigation in the district takes place through Upper-Ganga and Lower Ganga Canal network system and tubewells. About 85% of the district area is under active cultivation. About 79% area of net sown area (398600) is irrigated both by surface water (Upper Ganga& lower Ganga Canal network system) and ground water through shallow and moderately deep tubewells.
The economy of the district mainly depends upon Agriculture the district receives a normal rainfall of 708 mm with 46 rainy days experiences sub-tropical climate. The district is mainly drained by river Ganga & Yamuna and their tributaries. Karwan, Sirsa &Sengar are important.

There are many cottage units within households in various parts of the city. The other units in the city are located at Sasni Gate, Ramghat Road, GT Road and other area. Industries in Aligarh are based at different parts of the city. Most of the industrial units are concentrated in three industrial areas;Talanagri 1-2, Industrial estates and GT Road etc. Aligarh is one of the largest locks and hardware manufacturing regions in UP, with UP accounting for around 80% of total lock and hardware export of the country. The following table gives a brief of the total number of MSME units across Locks & hardware, meat processing, manufacturing, wood, metal, rubber, electrical, food processing, chemical, paper and engineering sectors in the district alongside their investment and employment.

The locks and hardware-based industries sector of MSMEs currently has 6000 units employing nearly 2 lakhs people in the district. It is the leading industry in the district’s economy contributing sector, followed by sectors such as “Food processing”, “Metal, Fabricated metal products” with 1550 and 1459 units respectively.. Figure 1: MSME landscape of the district Out of total population of 36,73,889 (2011 census) 5,84,07,234 are working population. Out of total working population, 93% are cultivators and agricultural labourers. This indicates that agriculture is the main source of income in the district.

The following table depicts the value of export of five major products from Aligarh for the period January 2021 to September 2021:

The presence of lock industries in Aligarh can be traced back to the early 1900’s.

The presence of lock industries in Aligarh can be traced back to the early 1900’s. The locks were earlier imported from England. With the passage of time, the industry gained imported and foreign engineers being involved in the manufacturing of locks in Aligarh. The Aligarh ecosystem is self-reliant with most of the process and supplies being sourced from within Aligarh. Few players source the raw material from outside Aligarh, these include the bulk purchase of materials from Ghaziabad. The material suppliers generally supply metal in the form of bars, ingots and metal sheets. MSME units use virgin metal for product manufacturing whereas cottage industries use recycled auto metal sheets for manufacturing locks. Micro and Cottage Units use recycled metal sheets due to its lower cost. However, this also results in inferior quality products with low market prices for cottage industries.

The demand for locks and hardware products from Aligarh is generated both domestically and internationally. There are multiple manufacturers in Aligarh, which export their products. Since the locks and hardware industry in Aligarh is quite well-known and well-established, most of the units have an established marketing/ distribution network, which has benefitted them for years. These networks help these units supply their products to retailers around the country and the world.Themarket linkages can be classified into five tiers – manufacturers, distributors, retailers, installers and end customers. The average price of the lock is around 150 to 550 and depends on the lock’s verity and key combinations. The Indian lock and hardware industry is covered under NIC code 25934. The locks and hardware industry in India has grown remarkably over the last few years, with the overall output of the industry in Aligarh estimated at around INR 5400 crores FY 2020-21.

The following are the key products manufactured in the cluster: 1. Padlock:Padlock are one of the most popular type of locks manufactured in Aligarh. Units inAligarh uses stamping to manufacturing components from sheet metals and then assembling them into the locks. The process requires different dies for stamping as per the padlocks being manufactured. 2. Door lock: A lock onan exterior door/car door that allows entrance to or exit from a building is known as a door lock. This type of lock requires a fastener fitted to a door or a drawer to keep it firmly closed. Aligarh units have experiencing a lag in moving from the manufacturing of pad locks to door locks. This has resulted in Chinese firms gaining the first mover advantage into door lock manufacturing. Currently due to automation Chinese firms can manufacture door locks at a price variation of almost 20% compared to Indian manufacturers.. 3. Bicycle lock: A bicycle lock is a security device used to deter bicycle theft, generally by fastening the bicycle to a fixed object. These locks are manufactured in different shapes and sizes. 4. Furniture lock: These types of locks are used in almirah and cabinets. They are manufactured in bulk and supplied mainly to furniture manufacturers. ;

The registration of Geographical Indication (G.I.) status of Aligarh locks is underway. It has been filed by the TalanagriAudyogik Vikas Association &Aligarh Hardware Evam Locks Traders Association, file on 19-10-2019.;

These types of locks are used in almirah and cabinets. They are manufactured in bulk and supplied mainly to furniture manufacturers.

Following are four principal Industry Associations/SPVs that are working for the development of Locks & Hardware cluster in Aligarh:
► PPDC (Process and Product Development Centre for technological upgradation for Micro and Small enterprise)
► Zakir Hussain College of Engg& Technology – AMU
► National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology - NIFFT
► The Institute of Indian Foundrymen-IIF (Foundry Informatic centre)
► Laghu Udyog Bharti
► TalanagriUdyogik Vikas Sanghtan
► Saksham Locks and Die Casting
► SIA Manufacturing
► Godani Infratech
► Popo Packaging Center ;

The export scenario of India and Uttar Pradesh have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes mentioned above under which locks hardware products are exported. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product codes

The following table lists the HS codes under which the products are exported from the district:;

The export scenario of India and Uttar Pradesh have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes mentioned above under which locks hardware products are exported. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product codes.;
Based on our analysis, we have identified key synergies that should be developed to expand our current reach and potential; These synergies are divided into immediate and long term. The immediate synergies include countries with Signed FTA’s, high growth potential, and one is catered by India and not UP. Whereas the long-term synergies include countries with untapped market potential which can only be fulfilled if UP’s exporters comply and raise the quality of the product to the highest standards, freight rates are more subsidized and major efforts is required in marketing which will require time to accommodate the same.

► The total exports of locks & hardware products from Aligarh district was approx. INR 1001 crores from Sep 2020- Nov 2021.
► The cluster has tremendous export potential. As per the exporters, the demand for the locks & hardware products is driven by rapid infrastructure development in the housing as well as corporate sector.
► Hence, it was pointed out that the proper study of the foreign market, region specific demand patterns to be ascertained. Along with that, a common platform to be created where there can be an integration between the exporters and importers, thereby making the export ecosystem robust and effective.
► The said productsare majorly exported under HS code viz. 830241 & 830242, from Aligarh.
Product 830241: Uttar Pradesh exports this product to Germany , Poland , United Kingdom , Canada , France , Russian Federation , Netherlands , Italy , Belgium , Japan , Austria , Australia. Below figure shows the top importers for this product (581092) in the world: Product 830242: Uttar Pradesh exports this product to USA, Germany , Poland , Italy , Russia, UK, Viet Nam , France , Mexico , Slovakia , Canada , Spain , Austria. Below figure shows the top importers for this product (581092) in the world:

Product Diversification is one of the most crucial product uplifting strategies which in turn is an important part of a product’s export. This plays a vital role in any products exports as it is a product uplifting strategy.Adaptation towards new market trends of electronic digital locks which are in high demand indomestic as well as international market due to the rapid expansion in corporate sector as well as modern housing is recommended.
1. It will involve a two-pronged approach. a. Bridging the skill gap required to understand & work with latest technology. b. Introduction of new machinery and electronic parts capable of producing the desired product.

Johnson and Company was established by an Englishman to import locks from England for sale in Aligarh. In 1950, Surendra Kumar, the son of a barrister started manufacturing locks in a very systematic way by importing machines and techniques and even foreign engineers. But in 1975 the company collapsed, resulting in the engineers, contractors, mechanics, and labourers employed in this large concern setup their own small-scale lock units scattered all over the city.

The process of emergence of Brass handicrafts cluster in Aligarh was spontaneous and not induced. The brass sculptures industry in Aligarh is close to 50 years old. Easy availability of raw materials was one of the reason to attract establishment of brass cluster in Aligarh subsequently made available through thriving locks and hardware industry.
The advent of Aligarh Brass cluster is largely dependent on locks & hardware industry in Aligarh. To study the origins of the current brass cluster its imperative to learn about the history of locks manufacturing in Aligarh, which dates back almost 125 years. In 1870, a company, Johnson and Company was established by an Englishman to import locks from England for sale in Aligarh. In 1950, Surendra Kumar, the son of a barrister started manufacturing locks in a very systematic way by importing machines and techniques and even foreign engineers. But in 1975 the company collapsed, resulting in the engineers, contractors, mechanics, and labourers employed in this large concern setup their own small-scale lock units scattered all over the city. A few pioneering entrepreneurs started manufacturing brass statuettes. As their enterprises grew in volume and operation, others also followed.The metal artware cluster of Aligarh is specialized in casting of metal which involves pouring of molten metal in the molds and allowing it to solidify & take the shape of a specified object. There are close to 300 units employing 5000 workers/artisans directly and providing indirect employment to around 25000 workers.

1 Statues of Gods and Goddesses: These mostly includes handcrafts such as Brass Statues of Hindu Gods & Goddesses such as Krishna, Ganpati amongst the most popular one as well as Buddha, Mother Mary, Jesus Christ a and Greek Gods idols 2 Artware: These may include a wide varietyof products used for home decoration rangingfrom animal motifs such as elephant as well as photo frames, jewelry boxes, candle stands, wall hangings etc. 3 Pooja Items: LargeDia stands used mainly in ceremonial occasions such as openings, inauguration and small dia’s as well as decorative thalis are also made in Aligarh.

GI tag registration for Aligarh Metal Handicrafts is yet to be initiated.;

Cluster Stakeholders

The export scenario of India and Uttar Pradesh have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes 830629 under which Brass Metals are being exported Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product code.

HS codes under which the product is exported from the district. Table 7: HS Code with description HS Code Description Value of exports (in USD Thousand) 830629 Statuettes and other ornaments, of base metal, not plated with precious metal (excluding works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques. 3,895 Current Scenario The export scenario of India and Uttar Pradesh have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes 830629 under which Brass Metals are being exported Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product code. ;

► The total exports of Metal Handicrafts from Aligarh district were around INR 60crores in year 2020-21.
► India's exports represent 0.002% of world exports for this product.10
Product 830629: India exported this product to USA, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Sweden etc. Below figure shows the top importers for this product (080450) in the world:

Product Diversification – The Industry is currently focussed on traditional statues only of gods and goddesses of same repeated pattern.Innovation & new product development Modern contemporarydesigns such as feng shui art, Brass wall art along with religious idols would lead to penetration in newer domestic as well as international markets and drive increase in demand.

UP accounts for nearly 50% of India’s total meat exports, a huge industry that provides livelihood to 25 lakh people, directly or indirectly.

UP has 41 of India’s 73 buffalo abattoirs/meat processing plants approved by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Union Commerce Ministry. UP accounts for nearly 50% of India’s total meat exports, a huge industry that provides livelihood to 25 lakh people, directly or indirectly. The cluster’s annual turnover in 2020-21 was around INR 3,900 Cr . The export turnover from September 2020 to November 2021 was INR 3,600 Cr . Total employment in the cluster is around 2,000 . The abattoirs in the clusterare namely Allana FrigarioConserva, Al-dua Food processing, Al-Ahmad Agro Food Pvt. Ltd., Al HamdAgro Food Products Pvt. Ltd., Al Ammar Frozen Foods Exports Pvt. Ltd. Al Hasan Surti& Al Tabarak Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd. These units contribute for major export of processed meat from the district.

► Carcasses Of Bovine Animals.
► Meat Of Bovine Animals With Bone.
► Boneless Meat Of Bovine Animals.
► Carcasses Of Bovine Animals.
► Meat Of Bovine Animals With Bone.
► Boneless Meat Of Bovine Animals.

► Chilled Boneless Buffalo Meat
► Chilled Boneless Buffalo Offal
► Frozen Boneless Buffalo Meat
► Frozen Boneless Buffalo Offal ;

► Farmers: The animals having served their utility, are a burden (commonly referred as bojh) on the farmer and thus sold for reinvesting in the purchase of fresh cattle. The buffaloes that are a bojh (burden) are of following four categories: o The first includes those that after about five lactations, If they are beyond the age oh 9-10 years or have stopped producing enough milk to justify their continued maintenance. o The infertile animals. o The third are the ones with damaged udders. o Male calves.
► Vyapari (middlemen): The vyapari is the vital cog in the buffalo meat value chain, connecting the small dairy farmer in UP’s rural hinterlands to the processor. Vyaparis source and aggregate buffaloes from farmers.
► Registered Suppliers: are technically authorised to supply animals to integrated abattoirs-cum-meat processing plants on a commission basis and to whom payment is made through RTGS bank fund transfer. He, in turn, pays the middlemen independently in cash.
► Transporters: They render logistical support or freight services for transporting animals to the processing plants.

Following are main Industry Associations that are working for the development of Frozen meat:;

The export scenario of World and India have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes 020230 & 020629 under which meatis exported. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product code.

Current Scenario The export scenario of World and India have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes 020230 & 020629 under which meatis exported. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product code. ;

► The total exports of boneless meat from the district as per HS code 020230&020629is around INR 3,600crores from September 2020 to November 2021.
► India's exports represent 11% of world exports for this product, its ranking in world exports is 3 under HS code 020230 and under HS Code 020629.
Product 020230: India exported this product to Hongkong, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, UAEetc. Below figure shows the top importers for this product are: