Special Shopping Destinations:
Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Raichur (Karnataka), Chanda (Madhya Pradesh), Bikaner.(Rajasthan), Santiniketan (West Bengal)

Leather craft in India is since time immemorial.The antiquity of the leather craft is reflected in the early use of tiger and deer hide as mats by the rishis and holymen during 3000 BC. The kings and warriors used leather for the making of artistic sheaths for swords. Since then the craft developed gradually with man's needs and creativity.

Foot wear displays the most prolific leather craft which is made famous by the skills of the rural cobblers who display an unmatched skill through their range of slippers and shoes including the coarse, tough slippers with thick-layered soles for the peasantry, shoes ornate with traditional embroidery for local middle class and western style shoes for urban population. Among the most famous leather craft is footwear with simple Gujarati district.

The tradition of embroidery, applique and painting makes leather craft highly attractive and the most desired. Some of the notable decorative leathers of India include the black leather of Hoshiarpur (Punjab) with multi-hued applique work and leather with metallic gold or silvery finish of Raichur (Karnataka), usually painted with epic scenes; and red leather of Chanda (Madhya Pradesh) with gold embroidery and silk applique work.

Bridegroom will not get married without the range of traditional Rajasthani footwear, known as 'Mojdis' displaying colourful silk and metal embroidery and beautiful applique designs in differently coloured leather pieces. Some of these for fashion conscious people are also done up in decorative textiles like brocade Mojdis are highly popular among tourists to Rajasthan. 'Mojdis' of Jaipur are different from any other place and are famous for their soft shades and delicate designs unlike those of Jodhpur, which display bolder colours and virile patterns. Among other embroidered leather work are handbags of Kashmir, knucklepads and ornate saddles for camels & horses of Bikaner.

India is home to some of the most unique leather items like 'kopi' - an interestingly designed water bottle with carved wooden stoppers, usually made from camel hide in Bikaner, besides 'hukka' bowls, oil bottles and 'pidis' - the raised leather seats. Indian leather craft popular in the international market includes the much in-vogue leather garments and exquisite ladies handbags of Santiniketan (West Bengal), designed in batik style with bold curves and traditional motifs.