{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1320537"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1320537/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PK6250/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PK6250/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2025PK6250","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PL0065","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PK7320","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PL0071","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O1320537/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1320537","accessionNumber":"IS. 83-2016","objectType":"Hind Pocket Charkha","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This hand-operated pocket-sized stainless steel charkha (spinning wheel) uses a spring mechanism to enable cotton spinning by hand. It was produced and marketed during India's independence movement, during which the economic strategy of swadeshi (self-sufficiency) was critical to the nationalist platform. The printed insert promotes the value of giving such pocket charkhas to children to make them \"spinning-minded\". ","physicalDescription":"Stainless steel hand-held spinning mechanism (charkha) with detachable spindle, with original labelled cardboard box and printed paper insert","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"The Oriental Industries","id":"AUTH341857"},"association":{"text":"Manufactured by","id":"x39721"},"note":"No record of the manufacturer has been found. "}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Stainless steel, paper, cardboard ","categories":[{"text":"Tools & Equipment","id":"THES48883"},{"text":"Politics","id":"THES48908"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2025PK6250","2025PL0065","2025PK7320","2025PL0071"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"74","id":"THES49720"},"free":"","case":"CA007","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"74","id":"THES49720"},"free":"","case":"CA007","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"010","id":"THES406590"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"74","id":"THES49720"},"free":"","case":"CA007","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"74","id":"THES49720"},"free":"","case":"CA007","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Box lid","id":""}],[{"text":"Box","id":"x44081"}],[{"text":"Leaflet","id":"AAT211825"}],[{"text":"Spindle","id":"AAT40400"}],[{"text":"Charkha","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"No","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Pune","id":"x30916"},"association":{"text":"manufactured","id":"x29350"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1923-1947","earliest":"1923-01-01","latest":"1947-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"Probably (based on use of Swaraj flag)"}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Claire Wilcox","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"246","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"209","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Thickness","value":"10","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"closed","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Wonderful Invention of Modern Times / The Hind Pocket Charkha / Patented / Manufactured by / The Oriental Industries / 599, Sachapir Street, Poona ","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Label on box lid, with of map of India superimposed by image of charkha with PAT. No. 31853 over top and 'The Hind Pocket Charkha' inscribed around"},{"content":"Jai Hind","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"\"Victory to India / Long Live India\"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Label on box lid, with Jai Hind written in Devanagari characters over a Swaraj Flag"},{"content":"The Hind Pocket Charkha Patent 31853","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Stamped into top side of charkha, surrounding shape of India"},{"content":"WONDERFUL INVENTION OF MODERN TIMES / The Hind Pocket Charkha / (PATENTED) / A Novel Form of National Toy that makes a Child Spinning-Minded. /\r\n\r\nIn the invention of the \"Hind Pocket Charkha\" a long awaited and a nation-wide demand has been created, in that it has replaced the age old 'Takli' and has proved a boon to the children as an interesting form of Toy of great educational value. /\r\n\r\nThis National Toy renders invaluable help to School Children to train their hands in the art of Spinning, before they are made to work on the big type of wooden Charkha. /\r\n\r\nThis Hind Pocket Charkha is very cheap, simple to operate and is so constructed that it serves as a Pocket Companion. /\r\n\r\nPrice Rs. 3/8 each. /\r\n\r\nHERE'S ANOTHER ATTRACTIVE FEATURE /\r\n\r\nThe \"Hind Pocket Charkha\" made of Pure Silver, serves as a unique decorative article of presentation on all festive occasions. /\r\n\r\nSilver Charkhas can also be given away as Prizes in Schools. / \r\n\r\nPrice Rs. 28/- each. /\r\n\r\nMANUFACTURED BY / THE ORIENTAL INDUSTRIES. / 599, SACHAPIR STREET, POONA 1./\r\n\r\nProvincial, District Agents and Distributors wanted throughout India. ","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Leaflet insert text is accompanied by a photograph of three children spinning with pocket charkhas, an instructional lllustration showing how the charkha is used, and an illustration of the silver charkha in a presentation box. "}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Stainless steel hand-held charkha, with original box and printed paper insert, labelled and stamped as 'The Hind Pocket Charkha'. ","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"A patriotic children’s toy\n\nThe ‘charkha’ (spinning wheel) became an object of political significance during India’s independent movement (1920s– 40s). ‘Swadeshi’, or self-sufficiency, and the process of spinning cotton were central to Indian national identity at this time and a stainless steel ‘charkha’ for children was introduced. Its packaging and leaflet speak of making children ‘spinning-minded’ and self-sufficient. India declared independence from British colonial rule in 1947.\n\nHand-operated spinning wheel \n1923–47\nManufactured by The Oriental Industries, India \nStainless steel, paper leaflet and cardboard box \nGiven by Claire Wilcox \nMuseum no. IS.83:1 to 5-2016\n\nThe object sits in the 'Crisis and Conflict' section of the Design 1900-Now gallery opened in June 2021.","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["IS.83:1-2016","IS.83:2-2016","IS.83:3-2016","IS.83:4-2016","IS.83:5-2016"],"accessionNumberNum":"83","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":2016,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2025PG0888"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-13","recordCreationDate":"2015-08-28","availableToBook":false}}