HISTORY OF WEAVERS IN INDIA

Indian weaving history traces back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The weavers of Mohen joDaro and Harappa mastered the art of weaving according to different markets in 2500 BC. India weavers were famous for manufacturing of high quality cotton and silk due to its great fabric. The quality of muslin was so soft and smooth that the world almost fell in love with this airy cloth. The detailing on the fabric used to be so delicate and beautiful that it was invisible from the naked eyes. Indian weaving industry popularity can be estimated from the fact that the cotton muslin became a symbol of pride and prestige in abroad. India was known as the ‘Golden Sparrow’ throughout the world because of its spices and textile industries. Indian weavers were the masters of their crafts.

It was during British when Indian weavers were thrashed and their handloom was destroyed because it became very popular in the world. Weaver’s thumbs were cut so that they could not weave because British machine manufactured clothes could not compete with the Indian handmade products. British imposed several taxes on Indian weavers to destroy the textile industry. They also put restrictions on Indian textiles entering the European countries and deliberately destroyed and banned the Indian textile industry. This benefited the British in return. Thus, British made India from the biggest exporter to biggest importer of manufactured products and services.

Handloom weaving in India accounts to 95% of the world’s hand weaving fabric, published on the site ‘The Better India’. It was during 1905, Swadeshi Movement when Mahatma Gandhi insisted that British products should be boycotted and Indian clothes to be used extensively. In 2016, Union minister of textiles Smriti Irani has started Indian Wear Handloom campaign, inviting masses to post on social media wearing Indian attire. Indian textiles industry employs more than 43 lakh people across India. India being the land of diversity, it has diverse and unique fabrics from Kalamkari of Andhra Pradesh to Assam Muga and many more. Vaishali Shandangule says that the efforts taken by the government are good but there is a lot more to do. As more and more Indian weavers are throwing exhibitions and contacting the clients. Thus, Indian handloom weaving Industry in India is expanding and is trying to fill the gap of British India.

For more information on the History of weavers in India, head on to I Knock Fashion page.