History of Handmade Carpets in India

Introduction

India’s history with handmade carpets is rich and layered. From royal courts to cottage artisan homes, carpets have woven together foreign influences, regional aesthetics, and centuries of skill. Today, India is one of the largest producers of hand-knotted carpets, but the story of how this craft took root, evolved, and continues to shape livelihoods and design, is fascinating. In this post, we explore:

• the origins of carpet weaving in India
• major regional styles (Kashmir, Bhadohi, Agra, Jaipur etc.)
• techniques, designs & materials
• influences (Mughal, Persian, colonial)
• modern developments and challenges
• why truly handmade carpets still matter

Origins and Early Influences

Persian & Mughal Inspirations

• The art of carpet weaving in India was significantly shaped by Persian master weavers, especially during the Mughal era (16th-17th centuries). Emperors like Akbar and Shah Jahan patronized carpet-making heavily, inviting skilled weavers from Iran and Central Asia to establish workshops (karkhanas) in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore and other cities.
• Mughal carpets combined Persian techniques (e.g. knot styles, design motifs) with the local flora/fauna and Indian sensibilities. Floral arabesques, garden layouts, medallions, and landscapes became signatures of Mughal carpets.

Emergence of Weaving in Kashmir

1. Kashmir has a very old relation with carpet weaving. According to tradition, carpets were introduced in the late 15th-century when Persian artisans were brought in to train local craftsmen.
2. Production in Kashmir grew under royal patronage, with large karkhanas (workshops). Kashmir carpets were known for fine wool or silk, high knot density, and delicate designs.

Bhadohi and the “Carpet City” of India

Historical Beginnings

• The region around Bhadohi-Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is central to India’s carpet weaving tradition. The weaving tradition in Bhadohi can be traced back to the 16th century, during Akbar’s reign, when Iranian master weavers, travelling through the region (e.g. Madhosingh village near Khamaria) set up looms and passed on their skills.
• Local legends speak of Persian weavers stopping in the region (some versions say due to bandits or floods), being sheltered by villagers, and remaining to build the craft.

Growth, GI Tag & Export

• Bhadohi is often called “Carpet City”: the Mirzapur-Bhadohi belt is the largest handmade carpet-weaving cluster in India. Approximately 3.2 million people are engaged in this industry in that cluster, with Bhadohi alone employing ~2.2 million artisans.
• In 2010, the Handmade Carpet of Bhadohi was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which covers nine districts (Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Ghazipur, Sonebhadra, Kaushambi, Allahabad, Jaunpur, Chandauli). This helps protect origin, maintain quality, and promote overseas demand.

Regional Styles & Unique Characteristics

Techniques, Materials, and Design Elements

Knotting & Looms

• Knots per square inch (or cm) is a key measure of fineness. Finer carpets use higher knot density.
• Knot types often derive from Persian (asymmetrical / Senneh) or Turkish (symmetrical / Ghiordes) styles.
• Looms: both vertical & horizontal looms are used, depending on region and tradition.

Materials & Dyes

• Raw materials: high-quality wool (often sheep), silk (especially in Kashmir), cotton for foundation.
• Dyes: historically natural dyes (plant, mineral), later synthetic dyes became common to meet scale and color demands.
• Color palettes and shine differ based on region, materials, and dye processes.

Design Language

• Floral motifs (lotus, vines, blossoms), garden designs (charbagh style in Mughal art), medallions, animal motifs, geometric repeat patterns.
• Border framing: repeating motifs, guard borders; central field often has a strong focal design.

Colonial Period and Modern Transformations

• Under British rule, India’s carpet industry underwent both expansion and challenge. Export markets opened up, and European tastes influenced design changes. Bhadohi and other centres began producing carpets to meet foreign demand.
• Some traditional workshops declined, while others modernized with newer looms, synthetic dyes, design software, global trade links. Challenges included ensuring quality, fair wages, maintaining traditional methods, and competition from machine-made rugs.

Modern Era: Opportunities & Challenges

Global Demand & Export

• India is a major exporter of handmade carpets. The Mirzapur-Bhadohi cluster, for example, is “100% export-oriented” in many sectors.
• Large companies like Obeetee Pvt Ltd (founded in 1920) have played key roles in standardizing quality and reaching international markets.

Geographical Indications (GI) & Craft Identity

• The GI tag granted to Bhadohi carpets helps protect the heritage, strengthen marketing, and assure buyers of authenticity.

Challenges

• Market competition: machine-made rugs, lower-cost imports etc.
• Design dilution: balancing modern tastes with traditional motifs without losing identity.
• Artisan welfare: ensuring fair pay, decent working conditions, avoiding child labor.
• Supply chain issues: sourcing natural dyes, high-quality wool/silk, maintaining knot quality etc.

Conclusion

The handmade carpet tradition in India is more than a decorative art—it’s a legacy of migration, royal patronage, regional adaptation, and the steady hands of artisans spanning generations. While modern pressures challenge the craft, its intrinsic beauty, value, and cultural importance mean it still holds strong. For anyone interested in heritage interiors, sustainable design, or authentic decor, Indian handmade carpets offer a weave of history, artistry, and connection.