| The shawl has existed in India since the ancient times | | | | spun wraps of different textures and weaves. These |
| providing protection against the freezing cold. The | | | | were later embroidered with soft silk floss and phulkari |
| mention to this fine piece of garment was first found in | | | | to add to its rich appearance. The warm and |
| the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the | | | | comfortable Kashmiri stoles were also dyed in |
| Atharvaveda. It also finds a mention in the ancient | | | | different shades to add to its appeal. |
| Buddhist texts and literature. | | | | International market: |
| Support for the industry by the Mughals: | | | | The garment got its major recognition during the British |
| The Kashmiri wraps were popular all over the world. | | | | era. The British were totally perplexed by the Kashmiri |
| During the Mughal rule, Punjab and the North-West | | | | stoles and shipped them to Britain. Their remarkable |
| Frontier became the center of shawl making. The | | | | popularity spread to other countries as well that have |
| Mughal emperor Akbar was completely hooked by the | | | | a great market for these finely produced fabrics. |
| Kashmiri wraps and encouraged weavers to produce | | | | Revolution in the industry: |
| new designs. He tried several new ways of wearing | | | | During the 19th century, the weaving method of |
| one and was instrumental in starting the twin shawl | | | | Kashmiri shawls changed due to the ever increasing |
| fashion. These types were embroidered with precious | | | | demand worldwide. The shawls were now woven |
| stones and metals for the use of the royals. | | | | separately into parts and later stitched together by a |
| Migration from the valley: | | | | rafoogar. This period also witnessed the popularity of |
| The Mughal kingdom led way to the Afghan rulers | | | | the embroidered wraps in the foreign market. |
| who levied heavy taxes on the said industry. The | | | | Shawls from other states: |
| weavers were forced to leave the Kashmir valley and | | | | The shawl industry in India also grew at the same time |
| migrate to Punjab. Following the great famine and the | | | | in various other states such as Bengal, Gujarat Assam |
| Afghan harassment, Amritsar became the new center | | | | and other North Eastern states. The phenomenal |
| for production. The migration of Kashmiri workers led | | | | growth of the industry was closely associated to the |
| to the development of the industry in other settlements | | | | weaves, textiles and designs. These stoles presented |
| of Punjab as well. | | | | the cheaper options and came in beautiful designs and |
| Innovative ideas: | | | | colours. |
| Earlier designs consisted of hand woven and hand | | | | |