Indian Silk History and Industry

Jan 15, 2024 | Quality Control

indian silk history and industry including silk road, manufacturing and export

I. An Account of Smitten History

Indian Silk, the name in itself is poignant and pious, taking us back to the treasured memories of life, or the ones we are dreaming of. Silk, as we speak, is a reminder of the long-lost history, yet staying with us in some form. Silk, as we know, is a lifetime that dwells through generation, and is passed on as heirloom, an icon of love and appreciation towards the progeny who take us further. Silk, as we remember, are the best collections we have from our grandparents, parents, often carried through generations, and the softness of their love is all over. Silk, through the traces of history, is what led to the integration of culture and traditions throughout the world.

“Silk does for the body, what the diamonds do for the hand.” Quoting, Oscar de la Renta, we all comfortably agree to his expressions. Silk is synonymous with the exceptional grace and luxe, and though some people have used it as an example of ignorance or ego, one must remember, the oldest pages of historical movements are only made through the courage mustered to know and acknowledge silk in our lives. The Silk Road in itself is the embodiment of both strength and spirit, in the times of no known roads, no known measures, it is this commodity which mustered through strength to conquer divisions which is known for unification of territories and ignited a movement across different parts of world to develop their own varieties of silk.

The fact that fabrics has always enhanced love beyond boundaries goes without any statistical documents to justify the fact. However, as we move ahead, the economic viability is a major focus on business, and one must know the current waters they are sailing through or would engage in near future. China ($380M), Italy ($159M), India ($64.7M), France ($37.9M), and Japan ($34.9M) were the major exporters of Silk Fabrics in 2021. Italy ($96.6M), France ($67.5M), Hong Kong ($50.7M), the United States ($45M), and Pakistan ($43.8M) were the major importers of Silk Fabrics in 2021 as per the reports verified by The Observatory of Economic Complexity.

II. Legacy of The Silk Road

The Silk Road, is in existence, since the 2nd Century BCE, as long as we can trace the development pioneers, one of the earliest prospects of the initiation of global trade and development of cross-cultural transactions began with the development of the silk route. The Silk Road, widely regarded as the first global commerce route in history, had a breadth and significance well beyond the simple exchange of products. Indeed, the network of interconnected roads functioned as the driving force for the constructive exchange of arts, religion, civilizations, ideas, and technology. Many momentous advances in domains ranging from mathematics and philosophy to architecture and gastronomy were only made possible by the daring of forerunners ready to explore and outdo man-made boundaries and natural determinants.

The noteworthy prospects aligned with the overall movement of silk fabric and the lingered inquisitiveness around how it is made, how beautiful must that place be, what beauty is offered in the natural resources of those regions, that ultimately produces the sheer butter we sway through our skin. In other words, wearing silk is an act of self-love and worth which we must shower upon us and also our loved ones. This simple piece of fabric is significant throughout and continues to build its magical legacy.

III. Impact of Silk Route in India

India, is one of the premier regions to have benefited from the development of silk route and the vastness of opportunities that it had presented in the ancient times till the current year and also the foreseeing development we are focused upon. The trade in India has always been a great balance amongst manufacturing and services. Silk manufacturing amongst other things or commodities is of prime importance in the Indian sub-continent. The best part that sustains economical needs is the fact that through the different terrains, one can obtain different varieties of silk, and each has its own unique essence and feel, booming the textile industry of the Indian Economy.

IV. Economic Stand-Points of The Indian Silk Industry

According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international commerce, India’s silk exports totaled US$94.77 million in 2022. India Silk Exports – data, historical chart, and statistics – were last updated in August 2023. In 2022, the Indian sericulture market would be worth INR 451.6 billion. Predictions ahead, IMARC Group forecasts the market to reach INR 1,194.5 billion by 2028, with a 17.7% CAGR from 2023 to 2028. Sericulture is the practice of cultivating silkworms for the purpose of producing silk. The Indian Sub-continent is an impressive manufacturing hub, with its promising development of different silk fabrics, and also the current growth of the Indian fashion designing houses, along with the global presence that they are initiating with, the market is extremely prosperous.

 

Follow this space for the Market Insights of Segmented Indian Silk Varieties.