Kharad/ Carpet Weaving of Gujarat

Carpet weaving is an ancient Persia art that Emperor Akbar brought to India. It has arisen as a thriving cottage industry after years of decline, mostly in rural tribal areas where other sources of jobs are unavailable. Carpet weaving is an art that is learned at a young age.

Knotted pile carpets produced without using any mechanical contrivance are artistically created by Gujarat’s carpet-weavers. The only tools used are a knife for cutting the weft after the knot has been tied, a panja made of iron for beating in the weft and the pile tufts, and a pair of scissors for cutting the pile level. Traditionally, vertical wooden looms are used for weaving.

Kharad carpets were originally manufactured from goat and camel hair fur. Camel and goat hair is sheared by Maldharis and Rabaris (pastoral communities). This was then given to hand-spinners who specialised in producing wool from goat and camel fur. The Kharad artisans then used this yarn. Kharad artisans produced Kharad (used for spreading on the floor), Khurjani (used to bear heavy objects on the back of a camel), and Rasa (thick cloth used to cover grains). They used to market their wares in the villages of Banni, Pancham, and Sindh. 

Currently, the Kharad art is in decline. Just two of the ten families that practised this craft before the 1990s remain. Others  have found other ways to make a living. These two artisan families are both having difficulty obtaining consistent orders.