The white, coarse-grained and compact dolomitic marble abundantly found around Kankroli in
Rajsamand district has been used in monuments for centuries. The eighth-century Eklingiji temple at Girwa, and the Nau Chauki carved in white marble on the embankment of Rajsamand lake, both in Udaipur district, are living testimonies to its extensive use in the past. The Rajnagar white marble from Rajsamand district has had a global presence, especially in the Middle East and eastern countries.
But Rajsamand's marble glory is no longer as solid as before. As this district remains the predominant producer of white and white-grey marble, traders here have been strongly opposing Kishangarh in Ajmer district being called the marble mandi.
"When marble is produced and processed in Rajsamand, why should Kishangarh be given the credit?" asked Om Agarwal, a local marble trader. "Rajsamand deserves to be the mandi, and the state government should consider officially declaring it so," he added.
Places around Rajsamand such as Agaria, Morwar, Arna, Dharmeta, Jhanjhar and Dholikhan have abundant deposits of white-grey marble and granite. Hundreds of gangsaws, tiling units and mineral grinders can be seen at work on a 40-km stretch of the highway.
After a steady growth in the last three decades, the marble industry of Rajsamand has started witnessing a decline in the volume of trade due to several factors. While environmental concerns and the government's mining policies have checked its growth, pricing and direct competition with ceramic and vitrified tile industries are the biggest reasons behind the decline.
"Despite being a hub for marble production, the lack of railway connectivity has affected the trade over the years," said Shivam Sharma, a marble trader in Rajsamand. "Although a railway project was recently sanctioned to connect Rajsamand to Marwar, railway connectivity towards Bhilwara should have been a priority as it will boost the trade by connecting Rajsamand with all centres," he added.
The marble industry provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of people in Rajsamand district, but intensive price competition and lower margins have turned the trade less profitable. "Trader surplus because of lower demands has also led to unhealthy price competitions among traders," said Ajay Kothari, an exporter.
The use of white marble, popularly known as 'Dev Patthar' (divine stone) in the past, was avoided in the making of floors and human dwellings due to Hindu mythological beliefs. But the changing times have made white marble a household item. It is now a preferred building material and also used to make handicraft.
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