​Chillams

CHILLAMS

Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur

​Rajastha, India

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Below is a description of the chillam written by the museum.

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CHILLAMS

Chillams are clay pipes used extensively in Northern India for smoking opium, tobacco and other narcotics for long periods of time. This differs from the water-filtration system of the hookah that was originally developed in India just after its introduction at the Moghul court. Large, well-decorated pieces (gargaras) are seldom used nowadays. Smaller, more portable for consumption in gargaras and hookahs.

They are made of the wheel with cut work in the area where smoke is required to escape to allow for longer burning. Simple sgraffito decoration is done through, bands of coloured slip.