Traders and artisans in Muzaffarpur’s 90-year-old Islam Pur Lahthi Bazaar say the war has disrupted raw material supplies
NEW DELHI/MUZAFFARPUR — The sound of bangles, bargaining and busy workshops that once filled the narrow lanes of Islam Pur Lahthi Bazaar in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur has now faded. The famous market, known across India for its traditional bangles, is facing one of its worst business crises in decades as tensions in West Asia continue to affect the supply of raw materials.
The nearly 90-year-old market in Muzaffarpur, regarded as one of the country’s biggest centres for lahthi or lakh bangles, usually remains crowded during the wedding season. Traders say the market earlier witnessed heavy footfall from morning till late night, with customers from different parts of Bihar and neighbouring states.
But this year, many shops remain empty even during peak business hours.
More than 250 shops operate in the market, selling everything from traditional bridal bangles to modern “charging lahthi” that glow in light. These bangles, made from natural lac resin, are known for their shine, colourful designs and durability.
However, traders and artisans say the ongoing tensions involving Iran and the US/Israel have severely disrupted the supply chain linked to the industry.
“Raw materials that earlier arrived from abroad on time are now getting delayed,” said Mohammad Mubarak. “Because of this, there is a shortage in the market and prices have gone up. Even though it is wedding season, customers are not buying like before.”
According to traders, many important decorative materials used in lahthi making, including imported stones, glitter, polishing chemicals and decorative items, reach India through Gulf trade routes. Dubai serves as a major trading hub for these goods before they are supplied to Indian markets.
Businessmen say the disruption in shipping and transport has increased prices by nearly 25 to 30 per cent.
The effect is being felt most sharply by artisans who depend on daily work.
Mohammad Lal, who has spent four decades in the trade, said many craftsmen have either reduced work or stopped working completely.
“Costs have gone up and work is becoming difficult,” he said. “More than 200 artisans have reduced or left work. I have been in this business for 40 years, but I have never seen such a situation before. Earlier, we used to work day and night during wedding season, but now there are very few orders.”
The making of lahthi bangles remains a labour-intensive traditional craft that depends heavily on handwork and artisan skills passed down over generations.
The process begins with natural lac resin collected mainly from forest areas in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. The lac is cleaned and heated until it becomes soft and flexible.
After this, colours are added and the material is shaped around iron moulds to form bangles. Decorative work follows, where stones, beads, mirrors and glitter are carefully attached by hand. Finally, polishing chemicals are used to give the bangles their shine and strength.
Traders say many of these decorative materials are imported from Gulf countries and China, while designer accessories come from wholesale markets in Jaipur and Kolkata.
“Necessary materials are not reaching India properly because of the tension in Gulf countries,” Mohammad Lal said.
Mohammad Firoz, another trader in the market, said business has slowed sharply despite the marriage season.
“The wedding season has started, but customers are not coming,” he said. “The war has directly affected our business. Raw materials have become expensive and artisans are suffering.”
“Earlier, there was hardly any space to stand in the shop during this season,” he added. “Now there is silence everywhere. Lahthi prices have increased by almost 30 per cent.”
Traders say Muzaffarpur’s lahthi market earlier recorded business worth more than Rs 10 crore during the wedding season. The bangles are also exported to countries including the United States, but international orders too have reportedly slowed this year.
Apart from business concerns, traders say the crisis is affecting a cultural tradition deeply linked with weddings in Bihar and northern India, where lahthi bangles are considered an important part of bridal jewellery.
Traders in Muzaffarpur hope that the situation in the Middle East improves. It will be only then that supply chains will stabilise and the famous sound of lahthi bangles will once again return to the crowded lanes of Islam Pur Bazaar.
