Jodhpur's traditional Jodhpuri Mojari — a handcrafted jutti or footwear with a history of nearly 200 years — has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The GI tag gives the Mojari a distinct identity at both the national and international level, helping curb counterfeit and machine-made imitations, securing better prices for artisans, and giving a fresh push to exports.
The GI Registry issued the certificate to the Jodhpur Handicraft Exporters Association (JHEA) and the Gram Vikas Seva Sansthan. The application for the tag was filed in 2021 with the Union Textiles Ministry and the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
Jodhpuri Mojari currently has a domestic market of about ₹100 crore, while its annual exports are estimated at around ₹10 crore. Experts believe that with the GI tag in place, the business could double within the next two years, directly benefiting thousands of artisans and their families in Jodhpur and the surrounding rural areas.
This is not the first GI recognition for a Jodhpur craft — Jodhpuri Bandhej had earlier received a GI tag. The process is also currently under way to secure GI tags for other traditional products of the region, including Jodhpuri Safa (turban), wooden crafts, Marwar's cumin (jeera), Jodhpuri stone artwork, and traditional soles.
For Rajasthan's handicraft sector, the GI tag is more than a certificate — it is a tool for brand protection that helps genuine artisans compete against cheaper counterfeit and machine-made products, while opening doors to premium pricing in domestic and global markets.