Indian Carpets, Rugs And Mats

Floor coverings of India have evolved over the centuries to suit a variety of tastes, climates and budgets. Indian woolen and silk carpets are very popular across the globe while cotton and vegetable fibres, are used for making mats and durries.. Though the designs of Afghanistan, Turkey, China, Morocco and France influenced carpet-weaving Industry, each region of India evolved its distinct style of carpet weaving.

The knots per unit area, and the design, colors and quality of yarn determine the quality of the carpet.

Kashmir is known for its fine quality carpets. The state developed its own designs based on shawl patterns, the traditional paisley, leaves and flowers. The hand knotted carpets attained a high degree of excellence in Kashmir. Bokhara Carpets with about 125-500 knots in a square inch are one of the significant works from this region.

Other significant areas of carpet production are Amritsar (Punjab), Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Eluru and Warangal (Andhra Pradesh). The Mirzapur-Bhadohi belt in Uttar Pradesh.

The wool used in the carpets vary enormously. It is said the best quality wool carpets develop sheen after use and hence have special value.

The best grades of Indian wool are used for medium quality carpets while imported wool blended with Indian high-grade wool is used for superior quality carpets.

The art of piled carpets was introduced during the rule of Akbar. His successors encouraged the art.

A cotton spread without piles, which traditionally comes in two varieties: one that is used on the bed instead of a mattress or below a thin cotton mattress and the other which is used as a floor covering is called durry. Durries are lighter and easier to maintain and can usually be washed at home.

Durries are available in many designs, vibrant colors, and geometric designs. Traditionally regions of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Salem and Navalgund, are significant areas of durry production.

Kashmir is also famous for Namdhas. The namdha has embroidery with woolen threads. It is usually prepared by spreading wool with certain quantities of cotton evenly either or mats, as in Kashmir, or on sackcloth, as in Rajasthan