What Makes Indian Rugs So Different From Others?
What makes rugs crafted in India so popular? After all, oriental rugs are also made in China, Iran, Turkey, and other countries. Yet, the demand for Indian rugs doesn’t abate. If we distil it to just one reason, then it’s the heritage Indian carpets represent. They are not mere coverings for a floor. They are a legacy that ties together a space and lasts for more than a lifetime. But to genuinely capture what makes Indian rugs so unlike other carpets, we need to discover all the elements. It begins with a rich and long history of rug-making. 1. Weaving skills passed down through generations The art and skill of weaving carpets came to India along with Akbar in the mid-1500s. The Mughal emperor most likely brought with him Persian weavers and artisans to weave carpets for his palace. That laid the foundation for carpet making in the country, creating hubs in what is now known as Agra and Delhi. Badohi, a city near Agra, can date its rug crafting tradition to the 16th Century.