The Origins of South Asian Textiles in History
South Asian textiles have long been praised for their traditional designs, fine craftsmanship, and inherent materiality. It is crucial to highlight this rich past, comprehend how it has influenced our relationship with textiles, and examine its enduring impact on our design methods while talking about Pakistan’s current textile design landscape.
In the region, Pakistan’s textile manufacturing history dates back about 5,000 years, to the Indus Civilization (c. 2500 BC). By donning a remarkable representation of a shawl with a trefoil design draped across one shoulder, the Priest-King sculpture introduces us to cloth as a covering for the body. According to archeological findings, Indus people were able to dye and embellish textiles using natural plant materials.
