The origin of textiles in India dates back to the Indus valley Civilization.

Textiles

Indian Textiles
Image Credit: http://www.designdiary.nic.in/urdu/museum_category_kalamkari.html

The textile tradition of India is varied and rich. India has an old tradition of textiles and is traced back to the Indus valley civilization. The people Indus valley civilization used homespun cotton for weaving their garments. Indian textiles had great market in a number of countries. India enjoyed a flourishing trade with the outside world on account of its textile products. There was a great demand for Indian textile products in the Roman Empire. Indian silk was popular in Rome in the early centuries of the Christian era. Cotton products, originating from India have been found many Middle East countries. Cotton textiles were also exported to China during the heydays of the silk route. 

As far as literary information about Indian textiles is concerned, the Rig Veda refers to weaving in ancient period. Ramayana and Mahabharata also speak of a variety of fabrics of those times. The Ramayana refers to the rich stuff worn by the aristocracy on one hand and the simple clothes worn by the commoners. Murals and sculptures, belonging to ancient period also bear testimony to the great tradition of textiles in India. The past traditions of the textile and handlooms can still be seen amongst the motifs, patterns, designs, and the old techniques of weaving, still used by the Indian weavers.

Silk fabrics from south India were exported to Indonesia during the 13th century. India also exported printed cotton fabrics to European countries and the Far East before the coming of the Europeans to India. Indian textiles were so popular that most of the European trade companies began to trade in cotton and other textile materials. The British East India Company also traded in Indian cotton and silk fabrics, which included the famous Dacca muslins. Muslins from Bengal, Bihar and Orissa were also popular abroad.





Indian Carpets
Indian Gems Jewellery
Indian Glassware
Indian Pottery
Indian Textiles
Leather Crafts India
Metal Work India
Banarasi Saree
Cane Furniture of India
Chikankari
Kanjeevaram Saree
Zardozi in India
Antique Jewelry
Bead Jewelry
Beaded Earrings
Brass Boxes
Brass Rings
Bridal Jewelry
Card Stock Paper
Ceramic Tiles
Clay Toys
Clock Compass
Copper Boxes
Copper Rings
Cotton Coverlet
Cotton Saris
Crochet Coverlet
Fashion Jewelry
Filigree Jewelry
Glass Armlets
Gold jewelry
Granite Stone Boxes
Jute Anklets
Jadau Jewelry
Ivory Jewelry
Ivory Anklets
Horn Rings
Handmade Jewelry
Granite Utensils
Obsidian
Nautical Weathervanes
Nautical Barographs
Mulberry Paper
Marble Utensils
Marble Boxes
Mango Paper
Magnetic Compass
Liquid Compass
Lac Armlets
Kundan Jewelry
Jute Table Mats
Jute Paper
Navigational Compass
Paper Notebooks
Paper Toys
Pine Table
Plastic Anklets
Plastic Armlets
Plastic Bangles
Plastic Rings
Plastic Table Mats
Pocket Compass
Porthole Clocks
Porthole Frames
Bullock Cart Toys
Quilted Coverlet
Rattlers
Rose Wood Boxes
Rosewood Table
Sand Stone Utensils
Sandstone Boxes
Saw Dust Toys
Shell Armlets
Shells Anklet
Shisham Boxes
Shisham Table
Silk Shawls
Silver Jewelry
Straw Paper
Surveyor Compass
Tapa Paper
Tapestry Coverlets
Teak Wood Boxes
Teak Wood Kitchen Ware
Teak Wood Tables
Terracotta Armlets
Terracotta Bangles
Sundial Compass
Stainless Steel Armlets
Soap Stone Utensils
Soapstone Boxes
Silver Pendants
White Metal Armlets
Wheel Compass
Washi Paper
Terracotta Tiles
Woven Coverlets
Wooden Rings
Wooden Chairs
Wooden Bangles
Wooden Armlets
Wooden Anklets
Wooden Almirah
Wood Hopper Bird Feeders