Of Carpets and Kalamkaris: The Deccan and its Textile Trade Connections

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Deccan produced luxury textiles that were sought around the world. This lecture will trace the evolution of the design and manufacture of these textiles from their courtly origins to their later iterations for the East Asian and European markets, looking in particular at kalamkaris and carpets whose design and structure were unique to the Deccan. These textiles’ journey to far-flung ports will also be traced, as these goods traveled alongside diamonds, steel, manuscripts and human cargo, as evidence for yet another aspect of the Deccan’s many international connections.

This is the Deccan Heritage Foundation, India, Mirella Petteni Haggiag Annual Lecture.