Abstract

Kashmir is known throughout the world for its crafts, above all for shawls. The art of weaving was known to the people of Kashmir even during the ancient times. However, it emerged as a flourishing industry under Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, though he cannot be credited as its founding father as is believed in popular Kashmiri tradition. The industry received a great impetus during the rule of Mughals. It became a royal Kharkhana and attained its maximum growth. New designs and colours were introduced and shawls of fine texture were produced for the emperors, their harems and courts. An attempt has been made in this paper to highlight the origin, development and the condition of the weavers in shawl industry of Kashmir under the Mughals.

Key words: Kashmir, Mughals, Tus shawl, and weavers.