Indian rugs

Where Indian rugs are made

The largest weaving region is the Bhadohi and Mirzapur area of Uttar Pradesh, often called India’s carpet belt. Jaipur in Rajasthan is another major center, and Kashmir is known for fine silk rugs.

Much of the work is done by families in villages, who weave to order for exporters. Many large rug brands in the U.S. have rugs woven in India.

A short history

Knotted carpet weaving grew in India under the Mughal emperors. In the 16th century, Akbar brought weavers from Persia to set up workshops, and Mughal carpets became famous for their fine floral designs.

Today India weaves for the world market. Its rugs range from close copies of Persian designs, often sold as Indo-Persian, to modern abstract and solid-color rugs made for designers.

Hand-knotted, hand-tufted and dhurrie

A hand-knotted Indian rug is tied one knot at a time on a loom. It lasts for decades and can be washed and repaired like any good handmade rug.

A hand-tufted rug is made by punching yarn through a backing cloth with a tufting gun. The back is then glued and covered with a cloth. Tufted rugs cost less and look plush when new, but they wear out much sooner than knotted rugs.

A dhurrie is a flatweave, usually of cotton or wool. It has no pile, is reversible and is often light enough to wash. Dhurries are a long tradition in India and suit kitchens, children’s rooms and layering.

What to check before you buy

Turn the rug over. A hand-knotted rug shows its design on the back, and the fringe is the ends of the warp threads. A hand-tufted rug has a cloth backing, and its fringe is usually sewn on.

Ask what the pile is made of. Wool wears best. Viscose, sometimes sold as art silk or bamboo silk, has a bright sheen but flattens and stains easily, so it suits low-traffic rooms only.

Look for the GoodWeave label if child labor concerns you. GoodWeave, which began in 1994 as Rugmark, certifies rugs made without child labor and inspects the workshops that make them.

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