They're often inside gold bars smelted around India (9)
I believe the answer is:
gaolbirds
'gold bars smelted around india' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'they're often inside' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'inside' could be 'gaol' (being 'inside' is being in prison) and 'gaol' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'birds' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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