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Indian
carpets are overwhelmingly rich with a
sheer range of patterns, styles and
designs on their bristled surface. They
are one of the uniquely characterized
works of art distinguished mainly upon
an exclusive, deeply perceptive palette,
based on pink, yellow, green, and light
blue. Such colors have best complemented
on the usual bluish red known as lac
red. This intense red has been
extensively used for the grounds of
fields on carpet. The lifelike and
floral designs with animal figures
accompanied with the epic hunting scenes
on the carpet are indebted to the
Persian style. Precisely, the birth of
the Indian style carpet is definitely
from the Persian carpets. India could
never boast about having its own
origination and following tradition of
hand knotted carpets. Instead, it exists
in India till today, because of
centuries old tradition of schlepping of
carpets from Persia. The credit goes to
the then Mughal emperor, Akbar (tenure
1556-1605).
As compared to the designs, the
asymmetrical knotting vivid
picturization belongs to the Indian
style of designing. The naturalistic
character of the Indian carpets doesn’t
exhibit the trademark attractive Persian
motifs. However, there is an exception
in the case of adopted from Persia or
other natives like herat, cloudbands,
and boteh. There is a strong preference
on figural backdrops set on directional
layouts and less- elaborations involving
commonly used full-field usage of rows
or grids, palmettes, etc.
The introduction of carpets in India
couldn’t have been possible without the
Mughal dynasty’s dominion. Moreover, the
region’s hot climate could never have
required the warmth of carpets. It was
until the 16th century, that Mughal
emperors patronized Persian carpets for
their royal courts and palaces. Akbar
had called for specialized artists and
weavers sent from Persian court to set
up workshops in his two Indian capitals
in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. These were
meant exclusively for the court as a
product conceived as a novel piece of
decoration and furnishing. Initially,
the carpets woven showed the classic
Persian style with fine knotting. The
valued and aristocratic carpets
exhibited designs finalized by the royal
miniaturists, etc.
Due to the lack of specific records of
weaving from the 16th century, the
so-called art forms like Indo-Isfahan or
Indo-Persian carpets make a strong
impression. These belong to the 17th
-18th century and are identified by
Safavid designs. During the reign of
Jahangir, Akbar’s son reigned and
encouraged more on floral carpets. His
fascination towards botanical features
like floral characters exhibited a
variety of herbal species, which was
perfectly expressive on carpets.
Inspiringly, more workshops were seen as
this art form reached the peak of its
popularity. This is also the period of
culmination of the Indo-Persian style of
carpets. The densely, asymmetrically
knotted carpets in India are usually
seen with cotton or silk backing. In
case of a silk backing, the pile is
trimmed low.
Such attention to detail and
presentation of realistic attributes
became a specialty. The Indian dyers
remarkably used very close shades of a
similar color in carpets, which were
examples of perfectly balanced one with
weaving dragons, and other mythical
beasts. Realistic ones include tigers,
lions, deer, cheetahs, etc., seen in
India. Such standard Persian carpets
also incorporated materials like high
quality wool from Kashmir and sometimes
even silk. There are many antique
carpets that are totally made by silk.
Lavish pieces boast of generous usage of
gold threads and precious gemstones too.
The Indian carpet scenario has several
major examples of exquisite prayer rugs,
antique rugs and carpets, figural
carpets, etc.
During the 19th century, the Indian
carpet scenario saw a literal downfall.
Bored with the tired repetition of
similar Mughal trends and styles were
commonly seen in the Western market. In
addition, the local English markets saw
their inventories filling with products
imitating the Mughal motifs as directed
by the European companies. In addition,
the standard Indian dyes couldn’t remain
rivals to the newly made synthetic dyes
in trend. Gradually, all reputed Indian
carpets were known by the place of their
origin, for instance carpets from Agra
were called as Agra Carpets. Since India
never had its own nomadic origination of
carpet weaving like Persia, Indian
carpets squeezed within the city
workshops and couldn’t be branded like
the Persian ones.
Fortunately, the Indian carpet industry
saw a refreshing yet a conservative
revival after several years during the
British rule in India. After
independence, the Indian government has
taken some drastic steps to empower the
artisans and the weaving industry.
Today, the Indian carpet industry
fascinates the world with its
enthralling array of carpets woven.
Indian carpets are specimens of
excellence designed and woven as
legends, which proudly embellish homes
both in domestic as well as
international front.
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