30-Jul-2026
Madhya Pradesh sits right at the heart of India, and its craftsmanship reflects centuries of overlapping tribal traditions, royal patronage, and regional specialisation. A Geographical Indication (GI) tag isn't just an official stamp, it connects a specific craft directly to its place of origin and the communities that have carried the knowledge forward for generations.
From ancient lost-wax metal casting to delicate silk weaves, here is the official lineup of GI-recognised arts and crafts of Madhya Pradesh.
1. Bagh Print
Origin / Location: Bagh, Dhar District
Year of GI Tag: 2008
Bagh Print is an ancient hand-block printing craft deeply dependent on Dhar's local water properties, natural vegetable dyes, and hand-carved wooden blocks. The process relies on exclusive traditional knowledge and precise environmental conditions to achieve its bold, characteristic geometric and floral prints.
Read more: The not-so-easy process of Bagh printing! | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: Bherugarh, Ujjain
Year of GI Tag: 2023
Practiced in the historic cluster of Bherugarh near Ujjain, this textile technique uses a wax-resist dyeing method. The resulting fabrics are instantly recognisable by their vibrant color palettes overlaid with fine, characteristic crackled veins formed as the wax breaks during dyeing.
Read more: Batik print - 2000 years of great art and still counting! | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: Betul
Year of GI Tag: 2025
Practiced by the indigenous Bharewa tribal community, this craft employs the ancient lost-wax casting process (a variation of Dhokra art). Artisans melt and pour brass to create detailed tribal figurines, animals, and traditional decorative objects.
Read more: Dhokra - An embodiment of tribal beliefs | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: Tikamgarh & Datia
Rooted in northern Madhya Pradesh, this tradition uses specialised alloy casting to create cast bell-metal sculptures, ceremonial lamps, daily utensils, and elaborate art pieces built to endure for generations.
Read more: Tikamgarh - The Quintessential Bell Metal Craft | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: Dindori
Practiced by the Agaria tribal community, this wrought-iron tradition relies on manual hand-forging techniques. Artisans heat and beat raw iron sheets into functional household tools and decorative pieces featuring tribal motifs drawn from local flora, fauna, and village life.
Origin / Location: Chanderi
Year of GI Tag: 2005
Recognised globally among India's finest handloom textiles, Chanderi sarees are defined by their sheer texture, light weight, and elegant motifs. Produced in the historic town of Chanderi, this centuries-old weaving expertise stands distinctly apart from modern machine-made imitations.Read more: Chanderi Sarees: Six Yards of Woven Grace | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: Maheshwar
Year of GI Tag: 2012
Originating along the Narmada in Maheshwar, this tradition flourished under the patronage of Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar. The fabric is celebrated for its balanced blend of silk and cotton, refined layout, and distinctive border designs inspired by local architectural motifs.Read more: The Weaving Story of Maheshwari Saris | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: Waraseoni, Balaghat
Woven by the Koshti community in Balaghat district, these handlooms, also widely known as Wainganga Cotton Sarees, are traditionally crafted from fine cotton. They stand out for their subtle craftsmanship, featuring signature Bhag stripes, checks, and elaborate Nakshikinar borders.
Origin / Location: Gwalior
Gwalior's handmade carpet-weaving tradition utilises a specialised single-knot technique, yielding carpets that are remarkably durable, lightweight, and easy to fold. The designs range from vivid birds, animals, and forest scenes to intricate geometric patterns, most famously the historic Maharaja and Darbari motifs unique to the region.
10. Gond Painting
Origin / Location: Patangarh, Dindori
Originating from the Gond tribal artists of Patangarh village, this internationally acclaimed art form turns natural folklore, ancestral myths, and forest ecology into visual stories. Created using traditional natural colors, the compositions are built entirely out of meticulous patterns, repeating dots, and precise lines. Read more: Patangarh's Gond Paintings - Unique Style, Unique Art | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: GwaliorYear of GI Tag: 2025
This craft repurposes simple paper pulp into lightweight, structural art objects. Skilled hands shape the pulp into vibrant toys, traditional masks, animal figures, and decorative artifacts finished with bright hand-painted details.
Origin / Location: Indore
Year of GI Tag: 2015Indore's leather crafters construct realistic animal figures by stretching hide over sculpted inner frameworks. The craft requires a blend of structural sculpting and careful hand-finishing to capture lifelike proportions and textures. Read more: Leather toys of Indore - Lifelike Artefacts | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Origin / Location: Chhatarpur
Drawing directly from the visual language of Khajuraho's UNESCO-listed temples, local sculptors carve red sandstone into intricate figures. These sculptures replicate the detailed craftsmanship, expressive facial features, and architectural symbolism of the region's historic stone-carving tradition.
Gwalior's stone artisans work primarily with locally sourced sandstone, creating fine statues, decorative panels, and delicate ornamental jali (latticework) screens that mirror the city's grand architectural history.
Origin / Location: Jabalpur
Sourced near the marble rocks of the Narmada, Jabalpur's artisans transform local marble into smooth, finely detailed idols, animal figurines, utility items, and decorative showpieces distinguished by their polished finish. Read more: The Marble Art of Bhedaghat | Madhya Pradesh Tourism
Centering around Chhatarpur, this craft showcases heavy woodworking and detailed hand-carving. Artisans shape timber into everything from ornate home furniture to small, decorative wooden artifacts reflecting regional patterns.
These 16 GI-tagged traditions are far more than museum pieces, they represent centuries of specialised knowledge, community identity, and regional heritage. From the tribal metal forges of Betul to the textile looms along the Narmada and Wainganga rivers, these crafts continue to sustain local economies and preserve Madhya Pradesh's living cultural legacy.
When you are planning your next trip to Madhya Pradesh, make sure these gems are a part of your itinerary!
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