July

The Journal of Indian Art and Industry published in 1912, mentions that "when the shawl industry failed... dealers at Amritsar [in the Punjab] turned their attention to the manufacture of carpets" - suggesting that the knowledge of carpet weaving and stock designs employed in Punjab, came from Persia. It goes on to say that the carpet industry was imported into Government Jails across Punjab as labour for convicts - which did "much to keep up the manufacture, and maintained its standard of excellence." After 1870 private enterprise in the production and sale of carpets made Amritsar a "considerable seat of [an] industry" which responded to western demand - developing a distinct style of floral patten designs and use of pale, earthy colours that reflected western tastes and passion for the 'exotic' following the display of Indian textiles and other handicrafts at Queen Victoria's Great Exhibition of 1851.

Depicted right is a 17th century carpet in classical Mughal Indian design from the royal workshop of Lahore: the city whose carpets are said to have been the first from Punjab to reach western markets.