“The most remarkable thing about the place [Muteodu, now Mathodu] is a manufacture of glass that is used for making the rings which are worn round the wrists of the native women, and are called Ballay in the language of Karnata, and Bangri, or Bangadi in that of the Mussalmans … all materials for making the glass are found in the neighbourhood … in the hot season, the Soulu munnu, or soda in the form of white efflorescence, is found is several places near this, on the surface of sandy fields … The furnaces are constructed in a high terrace, which is built against the inside of the town-wall, and are in the form of a dome, or like an oven, eight feet in diameter, and about ten feet in height …” This was Francis Buchanan’s description of glass-making at Mathodu. We decided to visit Mathodu to see for ourselves any remnants of this activity, at least in people’s memory. Quite to our surprise we found that there remained vivid memories of the occupation and even some physical evidence of what was once an important occupation in this small village.
