The kitchen, long considered the heart of domestic life, has undergone dramatic transformations across generations. From mud stoves and earthen vessels to induction cookers and air fryers, the evolution of household utensils reflects the changing face of society.
At Dayanand College in Hisar, the Department of History’s museum is preserving this legacy with a rich collection of traditional kitchenware and household items once common in Haryana’s homes. The exhibits include ceramic bowls, pickle jars, milk‑churning tools like the jherna and raee, and mud stoves such as the haaraa.
Professor Mahender Kumar said many of these artefacts were donated by students whose families no longer used them. “These items tell us about our recent past and show how earlier generations managed daily life without modern facilities,” he explained.
College principal Vikramjit Singh noted that everyday objects often reveal more about society than historical events. “The kitchen was not merely a place to cook food but the centre of family and social life,” he said, adding that the section has become a major attraction for visitors.
The collection highlights the role of dairying in rural households, with implements like the jherna and raee underscoring the importance of butter and buttermilk in daily routines. Tools such as the phookni, used to light mud stoves, recall an era when cooking demanded patience and manual effort.
Students visiting the museum said the gallery offered a vivid glimpse into Haryana’s domestic past. “From earthen pots to milk‑churning equipment, every object reflects a lifestyle that has faded with modern technologies,” they remarked, appreciating the college’s efforts to safeguard cultural memory for future generations.