The origin of Kashmiri Carpets or Kashmiri Hand Knotted Rugs knows as “Kalbaaf” locally dates back to the 15th Century after which a highest degree of perfection was attained in the industry locally. Sultan “Zain Ul Abidin” also known as “Budshah” (Meaning King of Kings) brought some Carpet weavers from Persia (present day Iran) into Kashmir and they extensively trained the Local inhabitants in Kashmir and soon after Carpets from Kashmir became renowned in the world for their quality, design and durability.
Kashmiri Carpets found its way into other countries globally through Silk Route and had huge demand in overseas markets. Many Kashmiri Carpet manufacturers and traders went on to setup their stores in multiple countries across the world including US, UK, Japan, France, Italy and Middle East.
Kashmiri Hand Knotted rugs were actively exported from Kashmir during the Dogra rule in 19th century, when late Maharaja Ranbir Singh encouraged weavers and offered various concessions for their welfare. Hand knotted carpets were actively exported from Kashmir during the Dogra rule in 19th century, when With the rise in weaving and carpet exports, Srinagar became a hub of activity and local weavers began to travel to Lahore and Kabul to export their wares. Kashmiri carpets are known for their fine craftsmanship, wide range of colours and intricate patterns, though they may vary according to region or village of origin.
Carpets quality ranging from 200 Knots/Square inch to 900 Knots/ Square inch in Silk yarn have excellence that today Kashmiri Rugs rank amongst the finest quality rugs world over. Kashmiri Carpets are Hand Knotted on tradition wooden looms which are 2 horizontal wooden beams between which the Wrap threads are connected. Kashmir produces Mulberry silk of its own and that silk is used in the Weft of the rug, i.e the pile of Kashmiri rugs is of fine quality mulberry silk.
Kashmiri carpets are made basically with two patterns; one is Silk Weft and Cotton Wrap, Silk Weft and Silk Wrap. The rugs are known as silk on cotton carpets and silk on Silk carpets respectively. Silk on Cotton carpets are Woven with a Knot count of 324 KPSI and Silk on silk Carpets are woven with Knot Count of minimum 576 KPSI and can go as high as 3600 KPSI which is considered to be the masterpiece and a product worth a place in Museum. The world’s finest Knot count carpet comes from Kashmir and has been manufactured by one Artisan named Mr Ghulam Mohd Lone who is associated to one manufacturer Lucky Carpets; he has woven a rug with the Knot Count of 4624 KPSI.
Historically, Kashmir’s carpet industry is one of the oldest industries in this region. A vast majority of Kashmir’s still weave handmade carpets with all their skills to produce, design and sell their products.
