Kashmiri Carpets

A scene from several hundred years ago at a King’s palace somewhere in olden Kashmir. The Mughal conqueror was unhappy and very uncomfortable. The Kashmiri cold was too much for him. Making matters worse was the fact that the intense cold was seeping through his shoes, numbing his feet.

He called his second in command and ordered him to despatch a messenger to homeland – Iran, urgently. ‘Bring me a dozen top quality carpet weavers’, he had thundered. ‘Find places for them to stay here and carry out their craft from Kashmir from now onwards’, he had decreed.

That must have been how Kashmiri carpet was born.

Hundreds of years later, the descendants of those early artisan settlers still weave magic on their wooden contraption, toiling for days, months and often even years to painstakingly create the renowned Kashmiri Carpet.

Still hand-woven, these carpets are distinguished as to their quality standards by a count of ‘knots’ in one square inch. These ‘knots’ are very special to Kashmiri Carpets, giving them the finish and durability.

While the top end Carpets are made of pure silk or pure wool, mid to low priced carpets are made with wool and cotton blend. Also, woolen carpets are made at many places in India outside Kashmir – one large production centre is near Varanasi, UP. However, silk carpets are still made in Kashmir only, mostly in Srinagar. 

Silk carpets may have a 20% blend of cotton to lend support to the weaves. These high quality carpets would have as high as 1600 knots per sq. inch. The lower quality carpets vary between 400 knots to 800 knots. The knots have 3 distinct styles. The single knot called Sneha owes its name to an ancient town in Persia. The more expensive silk carpets are made of single knot and are considered superior. The mixed carpets have double knots and are mostly used in handlooms for making cheaper model of floor carpets. The Tibetan knot is the third variation.

The designs of Kashmiri carpets reflect a distinct Persian influence although later centuries have seen some dilution because of Afghanistan influence. The Herat (Afghanistan’s third largest town) carpet specially deserves specific mention as the Herat design is considered fortunate. (More on Herat Carpets in a later blog). 

The most popular design motif used on Kashmiri carpets is the Tree of Life - the Chinar tree and its unique leaves. Natural scene, birds and animals, hunting scenes are the other designs found. Another feature of Kashmiri carpet is the use of mineral oils rather than the vegetable oils used elsewhere. 

So don’t forget to ask the number of knots whenever you are buying a Kashmiri carpet.

 Credits:

https://www.funseasonal.com/deals_hotel.php?deals=15

http://www.thealternative.in/lifestyle/kashmiri-artisans-making-india-can-help-rebuild-lives/

www.jagdishstore.com