Textiles and Clothing
Class 6 Social Science · Chapter 8: Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One' · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 8.3
Learn
India has a long history of textiles. Harappans grew cotton thousands of years ago, and later India's fine cotton and silk cloth were famous across the ancient world; traders came from far away to buy them.
Every region has its own weave: Banarasi silk from Varanasi, Kanchipuram silk from Tamil Nadu, Patola from Gujarat, golden Muga silk from Assam, Mysore silk from Karnataka and soft Pashmina from Kashmir. Each has its own colours, patterns and techniques.
Many traditional clothes, like the sari and the dhoti, are long pieces of unstitched cloth. They are draped in dozens of different ways across India, yet the idea is shared. Even ancient sculptures show people wearing similar draped clothes.
Today, handloom weavers keep these traditions alive. Buying handloom cloth supports their skills and livelihoods; India celebrates National Handloom Day on 7 August.
Explore: where is each weave from?
- Sort each weave under its region.
Remember
- Each region has its own famous weave, like Banarasi, Kanchipuram, Patola, Muga and Pashmina.
- Draped, unstitched clothes like the sari and dhoti are shared across India.
Quick check
The sari and the dhoti are …
- unstitched cloth draped in many regional styles
- jackets with buttons
- winter boots
- only worn abroad
Answer
unstitched cloth draped in many regional styles. One idea, many ways of draping.
Think about it
Find out which weave or textile your state is known for. What makes it special?
One answer
Answers will vary. Look at its colours, patterns, the fibre used (cotton, silk, wool) and how it is woven or printed.
Practice
Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.