Indian carpets are more than just floor coverings; they are a landscape of historical culture. Each thread tells a story, weaving together centuries of tradition.
| Charactertics | Details |
| Knot Type: | Usually single knot |
| Typical knot density: | 100 – 450 KPSI |
| Rug sizes: | Small sizes to 8’x10′ & larger |
| Dyes: | Natural/vegetable colors |
| Inspiration source: | Persian patterns & designs |
Table of Contents
Indian Carpets History
Carpet weaving in India started hundreds of years ago. It became famous during the 16th century when the Mughal emperor Akbar invited Persian weavers to India. These weavers brought their skills and patterns, mixing them with Indian designs. Over time, Indian craftsmen developed their own unique styles. Today, Indian carpets are loved all over the world for their beauty and fine work.
By the time the British departed in 1947, Indian carpets had become known for their low quality, with much better rugs coming out of China and the Middle East. By the mid-1970s, the number of artisans making hand-knotted carpets, once in the tens of thousands, had dwindled to fewer than 3,500.
Origins of Indian Carpets
India has many different kinds of carpets, each with its own design, colors, and weaving methods. Here are some of the most famous ones:
Cashmere Carpets
Cashmere known for Indian oriental carpets and rugs, are made in the northern part of India. They are often woven from wool or silk, making them soft and smooth. The patterns on these carpets include flowers, vines, and leaves. These carpets are known for their fine details and vibrant colors. Their texture usually looks shiny and bright, the pile is lower and pile mostly lower.
Agra Carpets
Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, is also known for its carpets. Agra carpets have bold designs with large flowers and curved lines. They are usually made with deep reds, blues, and gold colors, giving them a royal look.
Amritsar Rugs
Carpets and rugs from Amritsar are the authentic pieces that are truly special. Amritsar gets much orders Internationally which when exported advantage India through high values. Their colors of reds, greens, blues, browns, and oranges provides realism feel in carpet textures. Cotton and wool are the most common medium that typically used in Amritsar carpets.
Jaipur Carpets
Jaipur carpets come from the desert state of Rajasthan. These carpets are bright and colorful, with simple but eye-catching designs. They are often inspired by nature, animals, and local traditions.
Bhadohi Carpets (UTTAR PRADESH)
Bhadohi, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, is known as the “Carpet City of India.” It produces some of the best handmade carpets in the country. The designs range from modern to traditional, and these carpets are very durable.
Rajasthan Carpets
Rajasthan carpets are famous for the extra fine quality of carpets woven there. These carpets give the perfect for luxury decoration. Jaipur, Ajmer, and Bikaner are the leading sources for Handmade Rajasthan carpets. They are versatile, soft and hardbacked with a mixture of wool and silk materials that makes their texture rich.
Types of Indian Carpets
Indian carpets are known for their high density of knotting, their designs with attention to detail and presentation. Hand-knotted carpets are a specialty and widely in demand in the West.
Indo Persian Carpets
Indo Persian is the oldest type of carpets they are usually hand-knotted and typically based on the number of motifs like plants, flowers, culture, folklore, and lifestyles which defines the traditional cultures. Weaving Persian carpets is a big process as compared to other rug types because of weaving the fine designs. Sometimes a design may take up to a year or soon to complete, depending on the number of knots per measurement unit and quality for the size of rug.
Indian Silk Carpets
Indian silk carpets are expensive due to their rich shine and textures. They are sometime called Kashmiri carpets, silk rugs have their own style of color range, structure of design and quality. Silk rugs are hand-knotted on warp threads and carefully woven to achieve the specified pattern. Silk carpets are highly valued because of the extraordinary procedure of manufacturing of silk threads. The high knot density in Indian silk rugs also add to the price value.
Indian Wool and Silk Rugs
The mixture of silk and sheep wool in rugs is one of the excellent combination of the luxury look and durability. Commonly found in floral designs, the rug pile is combined with wool knots adding extra durability to rugs. Silk carpets are also used as an alternative to Persian carpets without compromising on the looks when it comes to affordable prices. Jaipur and Agra are the key source places where you can find the carpets and rugs with both natural material.
Hand-Tufted Rugs
Hand-tufted carpets is the special type of carpet because of their designs, lightening fast weaving speed, and underbudget pricing. This type is much popular among other Indian rugs due to forward level of comfort and softness. Made up by hand tufting tools, hand-tufted carpets are long-life guaranteed. Panipat and Bhadohi are major manufacturers in India.
Floral Rugs
Floral Rugs are never forgotten because of their unique style inspired by the Nature. Mostly made in Lahore, The set of designs including petals, leaves, flowers, landscape, and other floral species are filled on the entire base of carpet. Floral rugs are always available in various sizes and shapes on every running carpet outlet/shop. Indo-Isfahan carpets are other examples of floral rugs presented with flowering foliage.
Indian Carpets Collection
Indian carpets are beautiful and woven with great skill and care.
Why Indian Carpets Are Special
Here are some reasons why Indian carpets stand out:
- Handmade Quality: Unlike machine-made carpets, Carpets are made by hand. This makes each piece unique and long-lasting.
- Natural Colors: Indian carpets use natural dyes, which give them and long lasting life.
- Strong and Durable: Because of the careful weaving process, Indian carpets last for many years.
Indian carpets are a wonderful mix of history, art, and skill. From the fine silk carpets of Kashmir to the colorful dhurries of Rajasthan, Indian carpet is a great choice that adds beauty to any home. They are pieces of tradition that carry the soul of India in every thread.
