Uttar Pradesh is the land of art and artisans. The state boasts off some of the most popular centers of art tradition in India. The state has patronized art forms since the days of Moguls. Emperors like Akbar, Shah Jahan, Dara Sikoh and Farrukhsiyar were the great patrons of art and promoted various traditions during their reign. Nawabs of Awadh and other nobles later carried the tradition forward. This is the primary reason why from Benaras to Agra, every small or big town is famous for some or other craft in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi or Benaras is famous for its Zari works. They are done on various items such as textiles, artifacts and drapes. The prominent among these is the one done on Sarees. Banarsi Sarees are one of the most magnificent items to buy for in Uttar Pradesh. Embroidery work on Muslin, called Chikankari in Uttar Pradesh, is also very popular. It is confined to city of Lucknow where it was first conceived in the courts of Nawabs. This is only one of its kinds in the world. A different, more complex, form of embroidery is also done in the city of Agra. This is known as Zardozi and contrary to other embroideries in Uttar Pradesh, is 3-dimensional in its pattern.
Moradabad, the city of Brass, is known all over the world for its brassware. This art brassware looks distinct because of the heavy decorative patterns. The busts and miniatures molded in this city are in demand all over the world. Equally famous are the marble artifacts that are manufactured in the city of Agra. These miniatures are the major export item of this city. Apart from the marble replicas of Taj Mahal, the inlay works done by the artists here are in demand in various countries. Close by is Firozabad. The town has slowly become synonymous to Bangles. Apart from bangles, the city is also famous for other glassware such as cutleries and chandeliers.
Bhadohi near Benaras is famous for some of the best silk carpets in the south Asian region. These carpets are of fine qualities and have Persian patterns on them. They are exported throughout the world. Equally famous if not more are the Hand Printed items of Farrukhabad. These printings that are mostly done in two patterns namely 'Polka Dots' and 'Tree of Wisdom', has a die hard craze among the Europeans.
