Kashmir Rug | © Rugman

Origin of Kashmir Rugs 1

Kashmir is a region in the northern portion of India.

History of Kashmir Rugs

Carpets are known in the market from the Mughal ruling period (1526-1858). Early Kashmir weavings are named Mughal Carpets in the trade.

The Kashmir region was originally famous for weaving shawls made from pashmina wool and the processing of high-grade quality wool. The region was a trade center for Britain’s East India Company (1757-1857) during its presence in India. By the mid-nineteenth century shawl production decreased drastically because of the advances in machine-made shawl manufacturing in Europe. Many shawl weavers immigrated to other northern Indian cities to weave textiles and carpets. Some of the remaining weavers began to weave rugs with Persian and Bokhara designs. During the British Raj period (r. 1858-1947), foreign companies set up looms in Kashmir to produce Persian design pieces of low to medium grade quality for foreign export.

In 1947 India and Pakistan were each granted independence, but the region of Kashmir became a disputed territory among three countries: India, Pakistan, and China.

Characteristics of Kashmir Rugs

  • Design and Pattern

In 1947 India and Pakistan were each granted independence, but the region of Kashmir became a disputed territory among three countries: India, Pakistan, and China. Indian Kashmir weavers continued weaving Persian carpet designs for domestic and worldwide markets, whereas in the Pakistan Kashmir territory weavers made Bokhara carpet designs, which were fashionable in Western markets. By the last quarter of the twentieth century Pakistan Kashmir weavers switched to Persian designs of high quality and successfully continue producing this style to the present day.

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  1. Abraham Levi Moheban. 2015. The Encyclopedia of Antique Carpets: Twenty-Five Centuries of Weaving. NewYork: Princeton Architectural Press.