Textiles and Weavers in South India

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The Indian textile industry has a history of more than two thousand years dating back to the pre-Christian era. However, substantial data on textiles and weavers is available only form the medieval period, when South Indian handlooms prospered. Textiles and Weavers provides a comprehensive history of the world of weaving in South India from the tenth century onwards.

Focusing on the vicissitudes of the handloom industry and weaving communities, Vijaya Ramaswamy Presents a rare account of the socioeconomic world of weavers-oral traditions, their status and roles, and relationship with the state. She discusses the importance of social networks like caste, religion, and culture in textile production and trade. The author also analyses related production processes, textile technology, commercial organization, trade, and taxation.

This second edition takes the story of the South Indian handloom industry into the colonial period and beyond. It revisits the conditions of weavers in a context pf rapidly changing lifestyles and technology explosion. The author also examines the recent textile policies and challenges faced by traditional weaving communities.

The book integrates diverse research methodologies to offer multiple perspectives on the socio-economic world of weaving communities. In contra-distinction to existing studies, the author utilizes archival and epigraphic records, regional chronicles, folk traditions, and personal interviews to provide a 'view from below'.

This book will interest students and scholars of Indian history particularly South India and those interested in fashion, textile designing, and the growth of technology.

About the Author

Vijaya Ramaswamy is Professor of History at the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.