©AWMoore 2006
The Arihant Trading Co in Mumbai is one of many Indian company that has produces lanterns and kerosene stoves for the eastern markets. As with many such names, documenting dates and product range is difficult, but my guess is that the 1980s onwards might be a good suggestion, though there is no real evidence of this at the moment. Arihant Trading Co produces Mayur brand pressure lanterns in the Petromax style. The main product is 500cp lantern in three variations, all steel, all brass, and a version with a brass tank and a nickel plated steel top, termed the "half brass". As is nearly always the case with modern eastern lanterns, the globe is made from straight strips of glass held between two steel rings which are themselves fixed in place with either two or three draw wires. This Mayur lantern is rarely found outside India, as it principally made for local use. Overall build quality is fair, and typically adequate for a home market product. The word "Mayur" has more than one meaning, but is taken in this case to represent the Peacock, and the Mayur badging has bright colours symbolic of the Peacock fan.
Arihant Trading Co label
This Arihant kerosene lantern is the only type I have seen that carries the Hindu Swastika, which literally translates from the Sanskrit "Su Asati" as "may good prevail". Another name associated with Arihant is Kanchan, a well known brand of mantle.
As noted elswhere on this site, there are many eastern manufacturers that are undocumented here, and tracking their histories is almost impossible, since they appear then disappear without trace, undergo name changes, and resurface an a different company.
India is a country not exactly renowned for high tech manufacturing industry, but it is inevitable that there will be many a small product line turning out copies of established lantern designs for local use. It is most unlikely that these products would ever find their way onto the markets of the western world, especially in recent years as safety standards have exerted more and more influence and restriction on what can be imported into Europe and North America.
Pressure lanterns are still very widely used in India, especially in rural areas, where the portable nature of the lantern makes it especially useful. They are also widely used by street vendors at night. It is common practice in many eastern countries for users to remove the top cowl from Petromax style lanterns.
Mayur all steel 500 cp lantern with fluted globe
The top of the range brass Mayur lantern in 2006 sells in India for 625 INR, equivalent to about 8 GBP or 15 USD. For many Indian people, this represents between 2 and 4 days wages. The all steel version cost 395 INR for a brand new lantern, about 5.00 GBP or 10.75 USD
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