The sarees of Murshidabad

What is woven here

The district is known for mulberry silk, reeled from cocoons and woven into sarees and dress material. Murshidabad silk sarees are light and often have a simple border. Baluchari was developed here and later became a speciality of Bishnupur. Its pallu is filled with scenes in extra-weft silk, from courtly life or from epic stories, with a wide border of small motifs.

The craft and its people

Silk work here has been done by families of reelers and weavers for a long time. Baluchari originated in the early eighteenth century and later moved to Bishnupur, after its original village declined. Today, Murshidabad silk is made in the district by smaller workshops and cooperatives. Murshidabad silk is protected as a Geographical Indication.

Seeing it

The Hazarduari Palace, with its many rooms of royal objects, and the Katra Mosque are the main sights of the old capital. Silk-reeling and weaving centres are found in the district, and local guides can arrange visits. Combine a day in the heritage sites with a visit to a workshop to see silk being reeled and woven.

A trail idea for Murshidabad

1. Hazarduari Palace Walk through the palace of the Nawabs to see the setting in which Bengal's courtly silks were worn.
2. Katra Mosque Visit the old mosque at the town's edge, which shows the architecture of the nawabi period.
3. A silk-reeling centre See cocoons unwound into thread, and ask how the thread goes on to the loom.