# Kanger

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{{short description|Earthen pot used by Kashmiris against cold}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
thumb|A commonly used Kashmiri Kanger
A '''kanger''' ({{IPA|ks|kãːɡɨr}}; also known as '''kangri''', '''kangid''', or '''kangir''')<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Srinagar, 1846-1947 |last=Khan |first=Mohammad Ishaq |year=1978 |publisher=Aamir Publications |oclc=5220131 |page=85 }}</ref> is a traditional Kashmiri portable heater consisting of an earthen pot encased in wicker, filled with hot embers.<ref>{{cite book |title=Cultural Heritage of Kashmir |last=Qadri |first=M. Afzal |author2=G̲h̲ain He Gūrkū |year=1997 |publisher=[University of Kashmir](/source/University_of_Kashmir) |oclc=39292540 |page=31 }}</ref> The kanger is considered not only a practical device for warmth but also a work of craft and art.<ref>{{cite book |title=Geography of Jammu and Kashmir |last=Raina |first=A. N. |year=1981 |publisher=[National Book Trust](/source/National_Book_Trust) |oclc=9260048 |page=144 }}</ref>

It is typically carried inside the [pheran](/source/pheran), a traditional Kashmiri cloak,<ref>{{cite book |title=Occupational Tumors and Allied Diseases |last=Hueper |first=Wilhelm C. |year=1942 |publisher=C. C. Thomas |oclc=5639833 |page=293 }}</ref> or wrapped in a blanket.<ref name=mayer>{{cite book |title=Medical Geography |last=Mayer |first=Ishtiaq Ahmad |year=2007 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-313-0268-2 |page=24 }}</ref> Its primary use is during the cold winter period known as [Chillai Kalan](/source/Chillai_Kalan).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.risingkashmir.com/home/news_description/370924/Chillai-Kalan|title=Kashmir News, News, Srinagar News, Jammu News, Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir, Risng Kashmir, Kashmir Newspaper|access-date=26 December 2020|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222032152/http://risingkashmir.com/home/news_description/370924/Chillai-Kalan|url-status=dead}}</ref> When used with modern clothing such as jackets, it may also function as a [hand warmer](/source/hand_warmer).<ref>{{cite book |title=Vale of Kashmir |last=Isaac |first=John |author2=Art Davidson |year=2008 |publisher=[W. W. Norton](/source/W._W._Norton) |isbn=978-0-393-06525-1 |page=75 }}</ref> 

Typical kangers measure approximately {{convert|6|in|cm}} in diameter and can reach temperatures of around {{convert|150|F|C}}. They are produced in various sizes, including smaller versions for children and larger ones for adults.
==Background==
thumb|right|200px|Kashmiri Ornamental Kanger
After the earthen pots are moulded and fired, the artisans complete the [wickerwork](/source/wickerwork) around them,<ref>{{cite book |title=Symbolism of the East and West |url=https://archive.org/details/symbolismeastan00birdgoog |last=Murray-Aynsley |first=Harriet Georgiana Maria Manners-Sutton |author2=George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood |year=1900 |publisher=Redway |oclc=60177010 |page=208 }}</ref> by erecting two arms to handle the pot, propping the back side with strong wicker sticks, and colour it (optionally) to give an aesthetically delicate shape.<ref>{{cite book |title=Basketry in India |last=Singh |first=Kumar Suresh |year=1993 |publisher=[Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)](/source/Ministry_of_Human_Resource_Development_(India)) |oclc=30361817 |page=28 }}</ref>

==History==
It is generally believed that Kashmiris learned the use of the ''kanger'' from the Italians who were in the retinue of the [Mughal emperor](/source/Mughal_emperor)s and usually visited the Valley during summer.<ref>{{cite book |title=Gazetteer of Kashmir and Ladak |author=India Quarter Master General's Dept. |year=1991 |publisher=Sang-e-Meel Publications |isbn=978-969-35-0104-9 |page=476 }}</ref> In Italy (where a similar device was known as a ''[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/scaldino scaldino]'')<ref>{{cite book |title=Central Asia |last=MacGregor |first=Charles Metcalfe |author2=F. Maisey |author3=Charles Ellison Bates |year=1995 |publisher=Barbican |isbn=978-1-900056-30-4 |page=38 }}</ref> and Spain, [brazier](/source/brazier)s were made in a great variety of shapes and were profusely ornamented. Historical data, however, contradict the claim that ''kanger'' came to Kashmir from Italy, but it is known that it was used in the time of the [Mughal Empire](/source/Mughal_Empire).<ref>{{cite book |title=Kashmir under the Mughals, 1586-1752 |last=Mattoo |first=A. Majid |year=1988 |publisher=Golden Horde Enterprises |oclc=19811895 |page=137 }}</ref> Those visiting Kashmir for the first time during the winter season are surprised to find people carrying fire pots in their hands or in their laps<ref name=Vigne>{{cite book |title=Travels in Kashmir, Ladak, Iskardo, the Countries Adjoining the Mountain-course of the Indus, and the Himalaya, North of the Panjab ...: With Map. |last=Vigne |first=G. T. |year=1844 |publisher=[Henry Colburn](/source/Henry_Colburn) |oclc=	5970833 |page=317 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3noOAAAAQAAJ&q=%22Ai+kangri%21+ai+kangri%22&pg=PA317 }}</ref> but every Kashmiri knows how to handle the apparatus with care. It is a part of Kashmiri tradition and even in modern times it sees a huge demand, and is even used in public or private offices during winters.

==Current use==
Kanger are widely used in Kashmir. Its use is most prevalent in the countryside where power cuts during winters are frequent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fayaz |first=Aiman |date=2023-12-24 |title=Video: Kashmir Kangri Survives The Modernity Shift, Still a Big Business |url=https://kashmirlife.net/video-kashmir-kangri-survives-the-modernity-shift-still-a-big-business-336201/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Kashmir Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> Generally, everyone in the household has one. In some urban households, other devices, such as hot water bottles, blowers and electric blankets, have taken their place.

Aromatic seeds, such as isband ([Peganum harmala](/source/Peganum_harmala)), are often burnt in a kanger for ceremonial purposes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071202/spectrum/main3.htm |title= Warm up to kangri 
|author= Rajesh Bhat |date= 2 December 2007}}</ref>

Beyond Kashmir, people of the erstwhile Hill states of Himachal, Uttarakhand, and some parts of Nepal also use other local variants of kanger.

In 2015, a shopkeeper in [Srinagar](/source/Srinagar) commissioned a kanger, described as [the world's largest](/source/List_of_largest_roadside_attractions), to attract customers to his textile shop. ''[Kashmir Life](/source/Kashmir_Life)'' reported that the size, over a metre long, posed technical challenges to the wicker-weavers.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Aafaq|first1=Zafar|title=The 'Biggest Kanger' and the Sales Thereof|url=http://www.kashmirlife.net/the-biggest-kanger-and-the-sales-thereof-94510/|access-date=10 November 2016|agency=KL NEWS NETWORK|publisher=Kashmir Life|date=17 January 2016}}</ref>

== Manufacturing ==
Kangeris are weaved by small scaled farmers known as kanile. 

[Charari Sharief](/source/Charari_Sharief) town is the most famous for a peculiar kind of kanger called "'''charar kangir'''". [Anantnag](/source/Anantnag) is also another major producer. The sector is not organized but is covered under different government schemes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.greaterkashmir.com/news/business/in-line-with-cm-s-direction-jk-bank-launches-micro-finance-initiative-adopts-village-in-kulgam/235470.html|title=Greater Kashmir|last=Kashmir|first=Greater|date=6 December 2016|access-date=21 February 2019|archive-date=21 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221000219/https://m.greaterkashmir.com/news/business/in-line-with-cm-s-direction-jk-bank-launches-micro-finance-initiative-adopts-village-in-kulgam/235470.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/10/stories/2003111001730300.htm|website=[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)|title=Kangri under threat of extinction|date=2003-11-10|access-date=2019-02-21}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

==Popular culture==
This Kashmiri proverb, "what [Laila was on Majnun’s](/source/Layla_and_Majnun) bosom (Legendary Lovers), so is the Kanger to a Kashmiri", sums up the relationship between a Kashmiri and the Kanger and its cultural importance, which is also shown by this verse:<ref name=Vigne/>

:''Ai kangri! ai kangri!''
:''Kurban tu Hour wu Peri!''
:''Chun dur bughul mi girimut''
:''Durd az dil mi buree.''
:''(Oh, kangri! oh, kangri!''
:''You are the gift of Houris and Fairies;''
:''When I take you under my arm''
:''You drive fear from my heart.)''

==Medical hazards==
Regular use of the kanger can cause a specific skin cancer known as [kangri cancer](/source/kangri_cancer).<ref>{{cite book |title=Cancer |last=Raven |first=Ronald William |year=1957 |publisher=Butterworth |oclc=2730378 |page=277 }}</ref> This effect was first studied by W. J. Elmslie in 1866 and was thought to be caused by burns,<ref name=mayer/> but it is now thought to be the result of a carcinogenic distillation product of woodcoal.<ref name=nrc>{{cite book |title=Particulate Polycyclic Organic Matter |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_mVwrAAAAYAAJ |author=National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Biologic Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants |year=1972 |publisher=[National Academy of Sciences](/source/United_States_National_Academy_of_Sciences) |isbn=978-0-309-02027-5 |page=193}}</ref>{{Contradictory inline|article=Cancer|section=Physical agents|date=March 2016}}

==World Kangri Day==
The tourism department of [Azad Jammu and Kashmir](/source/Azad_Kashmir) (AJK) has finalised to celebrate '[Pheran](/source/Pheran) and Kangri Day’ on Feb 19 to promote Kashmiri culture.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Naqash|first=Tariq|date=2020-02-13|title=Arrangements finalised to mark day promoting Kashmiri culture|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1534134|access-date=2021-01-08|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[Phiran](/source/Phiran)
*[Chillai Kalan](/source/Chillai_Kalan)
*[Hand warmer](/source/Hand_warmer)
*[Kangri Cancer](/source/Kangri_cancer)
*[Pulhoer](/source/Pulhoer)

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Kashmir Valley}}
{{Jammu and Kashmir}}

Category:Culture of Jammu and Kashmir
Category:Kashmiri culture
Category:Heating

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kanger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanger) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanger?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.