THE HISTORY OF INDIAN TEXTILES

Today, cotton is an important part of Indian textiles. It is evident to us that since ancient times cotton has been in use for textile making, Harappans knew how to make cotton fabrics, nearly 5 million years ago. Silk, cotton and spices were the important items of export from India to the world, British East India company started exporting these products to countries like Indonesia. India was an exporter of textile products even at the time of harappan civilization, a hoard block resisting print on dyed fabric, originally from Gujarat, was procured from the tombs of Egypt. They are supposed to be exported their in the early medieval period. Our Vedic literature has the references to that for spinning and weaving. The various lists of materials and fabrics used, the methodology of weaving etc, are also described in the epics and puranas. Various weaving, embroidery, designing and needle work have been doing the rounds in our households since centuries.