Carpets of silk and cotton have been popular exports dating back centuries. Even today, plush sislk carpets, perfected under Mughal design sensibilities, are great take-away. Fine knotted cotton durries as well as sturdy rugs and Islamic prayer rugs or kilims from Rajasthan are Good value for money.
Light- weight durries (floor coverings) are available in numerous styles. The states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan (woolen durries), Uttar Pradesh (geometrical patterns) and Tamil Nadu (stylized patterns) are important weaving centers.
Pile carpets were introduced from Iran to Kashmir in the 15th century. Here carpet making follows the shawl-weaving tradition; its designs are based on Persian and Central Asian styles. Kashmir is also known for other types of floor coverings, known as the Namdas, Hook rugs and Gabbas. Namdas are made of felted wool and cotton and are embroidered fully so that the base material is not visible. The Gabba is an appliqué done on worn-out woolen blankets.
Carpets produced in Agra and Amritsar have fine quality patterns on a red, ivory, green and black background. Jaipur in Rajasthan produce quality carpets, which vary from 80 knots to 120 knots per square inch. Most of them have geometrical patterns. Mirzapur and Bhadoi also make quality carpet varieties. Andhra Pradesh produces geometrical patterned carpets of quality of around 30 to 60 knots per square inch. |
