Baluchari Sari End

Most weaving traditions in India originated in Gujarat on the west coast. Later on those weaving techniques spread to other parts of India for two reasons –  to escape wars, famines and other calamities and  because the weavers were invited by rulers in other areas to establish workshops. This migration of weavers can explain the presence of weaving structures that required drawloom technology all over the Indian subcontinent.

Baluchar saris demonstrate not only the Gujarati technology but also Gujarati motifs. Center of four  botehs surrounded with multiple borders, the narrow borders floral and the wide borders populated with a mix of people and peacocks in small square compartments. These motifs reflect an aristocratic world with an interesting mix of Hindu, Muslim and European elements,giving a vivid picture of bygone Indian court life. Baluchar saris were produced and traded by the East India Company workshop in Morshidabad which may explain this amalgamation of motifs.