The tradition of the paper craft in India is fairly old. The paper industry was located mainly in Patna, Delhi, Rajgir, Avadh, Ahemdabad, Gaya and Shahzadpur (near Allahabad). Since the paper is one of the easily perishable materials, the traditions of the paper craft have been left unrecorded. The earliest records available are in the form of the large number of beautiful manuscripts, the royal farmans and account keeping by prosperous merchants in the Mughal period. The industry was however indigenous and on a small scale so as to cater for the local needs. The man engaged in paper making could be found on the out skirts of the provincial capitals or of big towns. Their locality was known as the Kagazi Mohalla (kagaz-paper mohalla- area or locality).

Fine Art of Paper
Paper craft is a seasonal activity. The paper with its various varieties and wide range of colours offers a very colourful choice to the craftsmen. The combination of various kinds of papers in different forms and styles make paper craft one of the best crafts of India. The paper craft in India has widely been used in different types of decorations. The decorations may be in forms of flowers, kandeels, kites and effigies. Ritual manifestations of Muslims and Hindus associated with general decoration and entertainment composed the majority of this craft.

Procedure of making Paper Craft products
Khamp, (a thin bamboo strip) is used to give skeletal support to any paper product. Depending on the size, the number of bamboo strips may change. Kite are generally made by fixing a square paper on diagonal bamboo strip and a curved strip covering the upper part of the diagonal. Tazia making involves construction of huge bamboo minarets which are covered with paper. The effigies and other fire works made during Dusshera festival are meticulously filled with the explosives giving sparkle, sound and light.

Paper Artifacts
Kites, masks, bowls, paper puppet, and decorative bird, kandeels (lamp shades), guldasta (flowers), pankhe (fans).

Papier Mache
Papier Mache is one of the unique craft that developed during the Mughal era and is still being practiced by a lot of craftsmen all over India. The articles made out with papier-mache are used as a house-hold activities and decorative items.