Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Carpets, Carpets, Carpets!
Carpet-making is a living craft in India, with workshops throughout the country producing
fine wool and silkwork. The finest carpets are produced in Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal
Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal. Carpet-making is also a major revenue earner for
Tibetan refugees; most refugee settlements have cooperative carpet workshops. You can
also find reproductions of tribal Turkmen and Afghan designs in some states. Antique car-
pets usually aren't antique - unless you buy from an internationally reputable dealer; stick
to 'new' carpets.
The price of a carpet is determined by the number and the size of the hand-tied knots, the
range of dyes and colours, the intricacy of the design and the material. Silk carpets cost
more and look more luxurious, but wool carpets usually last longer. Expect to pay upwards
of US$250 for a good quality 90cm by 1.5m (or 90cm by 1.8m, depending on the region)
wool carpet, and around US$2000 for a similar-sized carpet in silk. Tibetan carpets are
cheaper, reflecting the relative simplicity of the designs; many refugee cooperatives sell the
same size for around US$100.
Some people buy carpets thinking that they can be sold for a profit back home, but un-
less you really know your carpets, you're better off just buying a carpet because you love
it. Many places can ship carpets home for a fee - although it may be safest to send things
independently to avoid scams (follow your instincts) - or you can carry them in the plane's
hold (allow 5kg to 10kg of your baggage allowance for a 90cm by 1.5m carpet).
You may come across coarsely woven woollen
numdas
(or
namdas
), which are much
cheaper than knotted carpets. Various regions manufacture flat-weave
dhurries
(kilim-like
cotton rugs) and striking
gabbas
(rugs with appliqué)
,
made from chain-stitched wool or
silk.
Children have been employed as carpet weavers in the subcontinent for centuries. The
carpets produced by Tibetan refugee cooperatives are almost always made by adults; gov-
ernment emporiums and charitable cooperatives are usually the best places to buy.
