Bhadohi is known to be one of the largest producers of hand-knotted carpets in India, if not south Asia. If you are lucky enough to purchase this piece of hand-woven art from Bhadohi, you will be delighted to learn that there would be a ‘Geographical Indication Tag’ attached to it.
This means that you are now in possession of an exclusive, unique item that has years of skill and history etched into it. The villages of Bhadohi can be given full credit for keeping this tradition dating back to the 16th century, alive and thriving till today. They are the reason why the crown that Bhadohi wears, has the words, ‘Carpet City’.
It all started when Iranian master weavers stopped at Madhosingh village, near Khamaria, in Bhadohi while traveling across India and set up looms there. So the earliest carpets made have Iranian influences, yet slowly the designs were modified to suit the tastes of the locals. However, today carpets are designed based on any and all cultural designs. At Royal Thread Artsy you have the wonderful option of even picking a custom design.
Location
Bhadohi is situated between two of India’s Cities of great heritage, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, who have the impeccable historical significance of their own. Bhadohi has a total of nine districts that play a key role in carpet manufacturing- Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Ghazipur, Sonebhadra, Kaushambi, Allahabad, Jaunpur, and Chandauli. That means that carpets made by craftsmen from all these areas would benefit from the ‘Handmade Tag from Bhadohi’. Carpets are woven at these places export most of their exquisite work to foreign countries. Two of the districts that greatly strengthen the Bahdohi carpet industry are Mirzapur and Varanasi- Mirzapur is not just known for its carpet manufacturing. It is a popular tourist destination and is surrounded by hills, lush greenery, and waterfalls. Along with the skilled carpet making, they are also known for their brassware industry. Mirzapur is also home to the holy shrine of Vindhyachal, Ashtbhuja, and Kali khoh, and also Devrahwa Baba Ashram.
Varanasi lies on the banks of the river Ganga, which has its own historical and religious significance. Varanasi is an important industrial centre famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. It is known to be India’s centre of pilgrimage, devotion, and poetry.