HISTORY OF CARPETS

The art of making carpets probably originated several thousands of years ago. Historically the nomad tribes needed to protect themselves from cold, uneven surfaces or rocks. So, they started using different animal hides and furs. One can call these the first ever floor coverings to be used.

Gradually as the time progressed people learned that animals like sheep and goats can be sheared for hair and wool that could be spun and woven over 9000 years ago.

Archeologically speaking, the oldest ever carpet found was the Pazyryk Carpet discovered from the tomb of a Scythian Prince in the Pazyryk Valley of Siberia Burial Mound in 1949. It measures 183 x 200 cm with a knot density if 360000 knots per square meter. 

Experts believe it to be around 6000 years old and a part of Achaemenid Empire, dating back to 5th Century B.C. Although the exact place of origin is unknown but it is believed to be manufactured in Armenia or Persia. Experts also feel the reason Pazyryk Carpet survived for 2500 years was because the site was robbed and let open, causing the carpet to turn into a block of ice which helped to preserve it until it was discovered. Currently it is kept for public exhibition at State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Carpet industry is one of the oldest industries in India.

Many historians have argued that carpet weaving in India may have been introduced in 11th century with the arrival of first muslims conquerers. Although the art of carpet weaving can be traced with 100% certainty to the beginning of Mughal Emperor Akbar’s (popularly know as Akbar The Great) reign in the late 15th century. He brought in Persian weavers along with skilled artists primarily for making carpets for his palaces. Initially, these Mughal carpets showed the classic Persian style of fine knotting, then gradually the style blended with Indian art. Thus the carpets produced became typical of Indian origin and the industry began to diversify and spread all over the subcontinent.

After the fall of Mughal Empire, the hand knotted carpet industry in India disintegrated as the wealth and power shifted to different groups. It was the Britishers who in their last few years in India started focusing on the Indian Carpet Industry. Traditional Persian Rugs from Iran were extravagantly priced making the rugs produced in India a choice for many as they had the similar quality and were priced moderately. This lead to rise in different carpet producing belts across the country like Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Jaipur, Agra, Kashmir, Panipat among others.

At present the export of carpets from India stood at US$ 1.37 billion in FY20. Today, India is the world’s largest exporter of handmade carpets. It accounts for staggering 40% of the total handmade carpets share in the world. Interestingly around 80%-85% carpets manufactured in India are exported. 

The industry also employs more than 2 million people.