Q. With respect to India, terms ‘deg bhapka’, ‘shamama’ pertains to:
Answer: Fragrance Industry
Notes: Kannauj has a long history of attar production, with references to agar wood oil in the 7th century. The industry employs a traditional, labor-intensive hydro-distillation method called ‘deg bhapka’ and produces notable attars like ‘shamama’ from various herbs and spices. Attar makers utilize a wide range of natural ingredients, including flowers, vetiver, and spices, typically harvested at dawn for optimal fragrance. However, the traditional process faces challenges from alcohol-based perfumes and rising raw material costs, leading to the use of substitutes like liquid paraffin. The industry supports several allied sectors, and Kannauj Perfumes received a Geographical Indication tag in 2014, though it has not become a major tourist destination like Grasse, France.