The Indian carpet industry is a true reflection of the worker’s philosophy and its interpretation of nature. In the shape of patterns on carpets, they convey nature’s shifting moods. Incidents in Indian history, culture, myths, lifestyle, and geographical conditions prevalent in the country have inspired the designs, structure, color, scale, finish, methods.
The Indian handmade rugs industry is one of the oldest and most famous sectors. India always had an ancient carpet weaving tradition, an art with various skills and experience from countries like Persia, China, and Afghanistan. This artistry, however, is no longer a profession that is still isolated in towns or villages. This art has grown over time, extending its wings not just on the national front but also on the foreign markets.
The creation of carpets is still enigmatic, but it is clear that woven types of floor coverings have been Present in the Neolithic Era. There are a variety of mysteries about carpet evolution, but any written proof is absent. The first theory says that to serve the rugged nomadic peoples’ practical function, the carpets were made. To shield the individuals from adverse climatic conditions, Indian handmade rugs were thickly knotted. Their original intention of no direct interaction with the ground was fulfilled. These carpets are thought to have come from what we see today as rudimentary types of floor coverings.
The decorated tents of the nomadic lifestyle, built from the early ages, were specimens, uniquely colored and decorated with the specific kinds of motifs and beautification styles created. Since ancient times, in Iran, then Persia, carpet weaving and its commercial development has begun.
Carpet is not a part of the culture in India, but it is an act of importation. This art is a kind of migrated art by the Mughals in India from the Persian and turkey. This complex and sophisticated art has been a part of Indian handmade rugs. It gives the finest example of how a domestic industry practiced at home can be transferred from the house’s secure confines to a thoroughly developed and coordinated drive.
In both residential and work areas, carpets are one of the most commonly used flooring coverings. The rug’s critical use is the decoration of the interiors and the enhancement of thermal comfort instead of its use. To minimize convective heat transfer, it prevents heat loss by flooring, and its excellent thermal insulating properties are based on the concept of trapping air. It holds warm air longer in colder climates or seasons, a significant advantage in our energy-conscious world.
Besides supplying the eye-soothing, luxurious feeling and comfort by the Indian handmade rugs, this also simplifies the Human movements over a hard floor surface for a long time. The drawbacks, such as the effect of heel strike in walking and postural sway due to body inertia, result in perceived discomfort in the lower leg, ankle, and foot due to fatigue and pain. The carpet’s compression action encourages human activities by reducing the effect of heel strike during walking and helps to control postural control in standing conditions to perceive firmness.
In different areas, Indian handmade rugs have flourished. The Hand-knotted, tufted woolen carpets, pure silk carpets, Persian carpets, and Iranian tapestries are various mats. Some states in India, such as Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, have a significant share in the carpet industry.
The designs are stunning, usually in black on a maroon backdrop with geometrical shapes. Agra is the traditional hub of Mughal-era carpet weaving. Agra specializes in the use of woolen yarn-mixed silk. The weavers of the region of Mirzapur-Bhadohi are renowned for their versatility by weaving almost any style tapestry, including the highly demanded Old Persian ones.
Amidst the Indian handmade rugs industry, It is possible to call Kashmir the fort of Indian Oriental carpets and rugs. They are a sign of quality and artistic skill, famous for hand-knotted woolen and silk carpets. This region’s specialty is traditional Gabba carpets, a hand-woven pile rug of coarse quality distinguished by an abstract style that relies on open color fields. The completion of a single Gabba carpet takes approximately two months.
The unique art of carpet weaving carried out by the skilled weavers created unparalleled quality that attracted the world’s attention. The craft industry shows a vital role in economic growth. The Indian handmade rugs industry leads to economic growth and becomes the primary agent of a country’s development direction. Among the other cottage industries, Indian handmade carpets are possibly exceptional.