Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

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A fish, a gun, a map of undivided India: India's old locks tell riveting tales

They're symbols of trust, tokens of love and puzzles that can take half a day to solve. One is shaped like a map of undivided India, the others resemble fish, monkeys, pistols.

About 3,500 locks fill up the loft of the Patel family's single-storey home in Hamirpura, a village about two hours from Ahmedabad, in the Kheda district of Gujarat. Traditionally farmers, they've been collecting metal and wooden locks for four generations, and over a century.

The locks are a mix of originals and replicas. The heaviest weighs 41.5 kg and requires eight keys to open. The tiniest at 4 gm, and 1 inch high.

3rd October 2018