‘Aligarh locks a byword for quality’

Ones made in China pale in comparison, says salesman. Chinese locks, however, are much cheaper than those made in Aligarh. For example, a 63 mm Chinese lock costs only Rs.100 while a lock of the same size made in Aligarh costs about Rs.250.

Sheodhan Singh Rajput displaying his locks in Adilabad. PHOTO: S. HARPAL SINGH

“Aligarh locks are certainly better than any other,” observes Sheodhan Singh Rajput, the lock salesman from Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh. He was comparing the quality of Aligarh locks with those manufactured in China, while in Adilabad to sell his ware.

Though the salesman sells locks from both places, he bats for the Aligarh variety and promises that the locks will last 15 to 20 years. “There is no guarantee for Chinese locks though,” he says.

Chinese locks, however, are much cheaper than those made in Aligarh. For example, a 63 mm Chinese lock costs only Rs.100 while a lock of the same size made in Aligarh costs about Rs.250.

Sheodhan Singh and others of his ilk move around the country selling locks. They purchase the Chinese locks from Hyderabad.

“We have something new to offer whenever we go visiting places,” Sheodhan Singh says. The Aligarh lock industry constantly comes up with new types of locks which cannot be picked or broken easily,” he adds.

The double lock is an Aligarh invention, the salesman claims. “This lock does not open even after you have turned the key in the hole,” he says, exhibiting a new type of lock.

“You need to slide this to open it after removing the key,” he says as he points towards a projected panel around the key hole.

“Big companies like Godrej, Harrison, Link etc. are working towards developing new systems for ordinary locks,” he says.