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Dindigul locksmiths hold the key to a 200-YEAR-OLD LEGACY
The New Indian Express Tiruchy
|March 31, 2025
OR over 200 years, Dindigul has been synonymous with locksmithery, producing some of the most high-quality, durable and intricate locks in India.
OR over 200 years, Dindigul has been synonymous with locksmithery, producing some of the most high-quality, durable and intricate locks in India. Whether it is the sturdy mango lock or the rare 'vichitra pootu', locksmiths in and around Dindigul town have spent generations perfecting their craft.
Made from scrap metal, steel, or brass, each lock features a precision lever mechanism and a unique key code designed to withstand force, tampering with, and time itself. From securing ancient temples to British-era estates, these locks embody a legacy of trust that spans centuries.
The origin of Dindigul's lock-making industry remains difficult to trace, but its dominance in Tamil Nadu is undeniable. Archaeologist Narayana Moorthy explains that for over two centuries, temples, traders, and colonial officials relied on Dindigul locks not just out of tradition, but out of necessity.
"These locks weren't just strong; they were nearly impossible to breach," he says. "Zamindars, traders and even the British East India Company swore by their durability. Even today, century-old mansions are secured using Dindigul locks."
This story is from the March 31, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Tiruchy.
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