Art & Crafts of Gwalior

Carpet Weaving

Though MP never took centrestage in the fraught history of India, it could not remain entirely untouched by the happenings around it. Along with the Rajputs, Marathas and the British, the mighty Mughals too left their stamp on this vast state. Carpet-weaving which came to India from Persia, was a craft very dear to the Mughals. Thanks to their encouragement and patronage, Gwalior developed into a carpet-weaving centre.

The weavers here are undisputed masters of not only weaving but dyeing too. Alas, as elsewhere in India, colouring is now done more with synthetic colours instead of eco-friendly natural dyes. Woollen carpets in vibrant colours with both floral and geometric designs are a good buy.