PAKISTANI CARPETS
Some historians believe that the art of woolen carpet weaving originated in Pakistan. Moen jo Daro and Harrapa, which are two famous cities of ancient Indus Valley Civilization have attracted archeologists from all over the world. Excavations in these two cities have revealed evidences of ancient inhabitants of the cities actually practicing wool spinning and weaving.
The designs and weaving methods currently used by the modern carpet weavers in Pakistan originally developed after the Muslim invasions of India. Specifically, during the era of Mughal Dynasty, Indian carpet weaving industry received a major boost. Intricately and beautifully designed carpets were woven by the skillful artisans and craftsmen for the rulers and the nobles. Mughal emperors also patronized the carpet weavers. Particularly, Shah Jahan, locally known as “Engineer King” due to his deep interest in architecture and art, helped promote all forms of art, including carpet weaving, in his era. The remarkably designed and fine quality Indian carpets were appreciated at home and abroad. After the separation of India in 1947, a large number of Muslim carpet weavers moved to Pakistan and promoted the cultural heritage of carpet weaving in Pakistan. They settled in the metropolitan centers of Karachi and Lahore, and benefitted from initiation of the import of high quality yarn by the government.
The modern carpet weavers in Pakistan mostly use the imported Australian yarn to weave the carpets. Cotton is generally used to make warps and wefts for the backing. The carpets are then treated to augment their luster so that they appear as if made of silk. Red is the dominant color in the carpets, although carpets of other colors are also produced on a considerable scale. The tradition of high knot density inherited from the ancestors ensures fine designs and high durability of carpets. Also, these carpets are priced low and so give a strong competition to the Iranian carpets.
The main centers of carpet production in Pakistan include Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi. The Pakistani carpets can be classified into Mori carpets and Persian carpets. Mori carpets mostly have a Bochara-like pattern and other Turkmenistan patterns. Ziegler carpets come under the Persian category, and have designs similar to the carpets of Arak in Persia.
At present, carpet weaving industry provides livelihood to a large portion of Pakistani population. Hand woven carpets are the second largest manufacture of small-scale and cottage industries in Pakistan. Carpets also form a major export of the country and bring home the much valued foreign reserves. Pakistani carpet weavers are highly skillful and trained to produce any type of design on the carpets. The rich variety of designs helps buyers select carpets of their liking and taste.
