Pune’s historic Yerwada Central Jail, which was built by the British in 1871, housed many prominent freedom fighters during India's independence movement. It also hosts the Jail Industries Maharashtra Showroom, where you can buy products made in-house by the inmates. Biscuits, furniture, bed linen, carpets, bags, lamps, clothing, and shoes —these are just some things you can buy off the rack here, or by placing a custom order through the showroom.
Yerwada Central Jail: This Iconic Pune Jail Sells Handmade Ware By Inmates!
About Jail Industries Maharashtra Showroom
Situated on old Airport Road, Jail Industries Maharashtra Showroom is on the corner of the turn onto Jail Road; sharing a space with the State Bank of India. Currently, only a portion of their total output is showcased at the shop. Their orders for larger items are shipped out straight from the factory itself, but they have look books you can go through to pick and choose.
Though the jail’s factory through which they operate has been in business since British times, the current retail shop was only opened in 1989. Almost all inmates at both the men’s and women’s sections of the jail are put to work after being trained in vocational skills by instructors from different industries. The objective is to reform and rehabilitate them, by teaching them useful skills. Not only is this good catharsis for the inmates, but they receive working wages, around INR 50 to 80 depending on the type of work.
Even celebrity inmate Sanjay Dutt was put to work during his time here, making bags and textiles. The men’s factory focuses on smithy, carpentry, textile dyeing, painting, handloom, power loom, leatherwork, paper making, laundry, painting (art), car servicing, and cleaning. The women’s factory makes handicrafts like crochet items, handicrafts, jewellery, clothing, and textile products, as well as hand-painted diyas and pretty lanterns during Diwali.
Things Available To Buy
The shop has teak-wood furniture from patio chairs to divans. There is often a long waiting list for custom orders. Their range of textiles like cotton towels can cost you INR 100 upwards, blankets for INR 387 upwards, printed bedsheets with two pillow covers for INR 315 upwards, and multi-colored dhurries can range from INR 148 for 2×2 size, to INR 3,548 for 12×8 size.
Their smithy department produces home decor like lamps, sofa sets, and even BBQ grills, priced between INR 150 to INR 400, depending on the size. Men’s shirts will cost INR 410 and above, pants for INR 410 to INR 600, leather belts for around INR 300, hand-crafted leather shoes, and Kolhapuri chappals between INR 560 and INR 1,000. Ladies’ clothing like blouses,and Paithani sarees are priced at INR 2,000 upwards and jewellery is more widely available during festival season, through a larger display area outside the shop.
Woodwork items like trays, stools, bird-houses and various knick-knacks are also on display, and for purchase. You simply must try their baked goods — sesame biscuits, oat biscuits, and Khari puffs that are worth every penny.
It’s good quality merch, and what you see is what you get. Prices vary according to the cost of the raw material plus worker’s wages and GST. But, they are still cheaper than other retail stores. All products are sold under the brand ‘Maharashtra Karagriha’, and apart from the shop at Yerwada, you can also find them at college festivals, markets, and exhibitions around Pune.
Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM (Monday to Saturday), 8 AM to 2 PM (Sunday)
