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All About Carpets & Rugs |
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The
History of Indian Carpets |
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Woolen carpets were known in India as early as 500 B.C.
References to woven mats and floor coverings can be found in
ancient and medieval Indian literature. But the most famous type
of Indian carpets, pile carpets came to India in the reign of
Akbar in 16th century. |
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He in 1580A.D. brought certain Persian carpet weavers to India
and established them here. The art grew and flourished here. It
was modified as per the royal tastes and mixed with the Indian
arts. The Persian carpets were thus Indianized. It spread to the
whole subcontinent with each area having its own specialties. |
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From the beginning, wool or silks have been the basic material
of the knotted carpets. The wool may have a variety of origins
as per the type of carpet being made. Silk knots are also used
in Kashmir region. The patterns varied from vines and floral
patterns, animal and bird figures and geometric and calligraphic
patterns. |
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Rugs from Akbar's reign (1556-1605)
used cotton warp and wool pile and color scheme had multiple
shades of blues, greens, and other colors on a red base. The
patterns were an adaptation of Persian style but latter modified
to Indian tastes. |
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Carpets of Jahangir's reign (1605-27)
were more refined. Materials like silk and pashmina were used
that allowed greater number of knots to be incorporated.
Patterns resembled miniature paintings. Subtle gradations, and
shadings with yarns were themselves artistic. The patterns were
a reflection of manuscript paintings. They were technically
refined in both design and construction. The carpets had
scrolling vines, flowering plants, and more naturalistic animals
in pictorial or overall pattern. |
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During Shahjahan's reign (1628-58)
art of carpets had reached new heights Warps and wefts of fine
silk yarns allowed as many as 2,000 knots per square inch. Silk
or pashmina piles gave the carpets a velvet like texture. Yarn
shading was as sophisticated as in Jahangir's reign. Flowers
were now the primary elements of design. |
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Though during the reign
of Auranzeb (1658 onwards), all crafts saw a
downfall of almost all crafts, carpet craft sustained. Reason
may be that they were required for all religious purposes. The
patterns were primarily floral all over with at times geometric
or calligraphic trims. |
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Chinese and European patterns also influenced the art in their
own way. With their mythical characters finding way in the
carpets, it can be clearly seen. Calligraphy influenced the
carpet craft as it did the other crafts. |
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Though like all other crafts, carpet making also saw a downfall
for sometime, the craft sustained in the traditional families. |
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The Indian carpets are considered most technically accomplished
classical carpets. The carpet weavers over the time have grown
artistically. Indian Carpets are renowned for their exquisite
designs, elegance, attractive colors and workmanship. |
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