The trade in textiles between the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the world span several millennia. However, as no trace of these textiles remain in their places of production in the subcontinent, it is only very recently that textiles that have been preserved in various regions around the world and proven to be of Indian origin, have provided clues as to the range and extent of this massive trade. Scholars of textile history have pieced together such clues to bring forth fascinating insights of the equally intriguing subject. Indian textiles were a dominant currency of exchange in the spice trade with the East. Textile trade to the East is believed to have been established by at least the 1 st century AD, Textiles from Bengal , Gujarat & the Coromandel Coast of South East India were in great demand in many Asian countries, notably Sri Lanka , Burma , Cambodia , Thailand , Indonesia , Malaysia , Japan & China . It was Gujarat that supplied the earliest major surviving groups of textiles. Examples of these dating back to the 13 th – 14 th century AD.

Elevated o the high status of heirloom items, they were carefully preserved & have therefore survived many centuries.

Western India provided block prints and embroideries. Bengal was the source of fine muslins & the Coromandel Coast of South East India was the key area for painted an dyed cottons. Kashmir provided the much- coveted shawls. Chintz textiles were imported into Britain & Holland for being cotton and its colour. To the Europe of the 17 th century clad entirely in wool, linen & imported silk (for the rich) the appeal of cotton was tremendous as it was light,comfortable, washable & inexpensive. The technique of mordant dyeing which rendered the brilliant and fast colours was still unknown in Europe at the time. Kashmir shawls which were introduced to France in the late 18 th century were in great demand for those who could afford them, despite their exorbitant cost. Between 1850 & 1860 the shawl exports to Europe more than doubled exceeding what the industry had produced.