DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1397#0101
PLATE 26.
INDIAN COTTON CARPETS.
A MONGST the very beautiful productions of the Indian loom, there were probably none more
^^^ striking and characteristic than the cotton carpets and rugs, or " Suttringees," in general
use throughout the country. They are excellent, both in design and colour; are entirely made
of cotton, and may be considered, says Mr. Dowleans, from whose valuable contributions to the
Indian Catalogue we subjoin the following matter,—" A cheap substitute for woollen carpets; they
are used by every one, European or native, and the annual manufacture is consequently very
considerable, especially in Bengal, where they form a large and important branch of inland trade.
They are of all sizes, from that of the largest carpet to the smallest rug; but generally of one
and the same pattern throughout India, the only difference being the colour. Blue and white,
and red and white stripes constitute the prevalent patterns; but in some, one colour of darker
and lighter hues is employed. In Meerut, Bareilly, and Patna new patterns have of late been
tried with considerable success; but, though preferred by the Europeans, are not by the natives,
who like the striped patterns, because they wear better in daily use, and do not lose the freshness
of colour by washing. The principal localities where Suttringees are manufactured are Agra,
Bareilly, Patna, Shahabad, Beerbhoom, and Burdwan. Those manufactured at Agra are considered
the best, and the value of their annual production is about £10,000. In Shahabad the quantity
manufactured last year was nearly £7,000, and the same may be assumed to have been produced
in the other places above mentioned. Suttringees vary in price, according to size and quality :
the small ones are valued from 3s. to 156'., and the larger ones, carpet size" (from which our
illustration is taken), "from £1. 10s. to £4, the price in many cases being regulated by weight."
Mr. R. W. Bingham, who exhibited several good examples, states, that " from being made
of cotton they are cool and pleasant, and are in invariable use by the better class of natives,
and by all Europeans; the smaller kinds are used as quilts for beds, and of late the Government
has given them to its European soldiers for that purpose. The manufacturers, called in this
district ' Kalleeun Bap,' are almost invariably Mussulmen of the weaver class, who will make
carpets of any size and pattern given in strips. The two local seats of manufacture in Shahabad
are Bubbooah and Sasseeram. In "the former place from 10,000 to 12,000 rupees worth are
yearly manufactured and sold, and in the latter from 30,000 to 40,000 rupees. These Dhurees
or carpets are sold readily in all the bazaars around, and at all the neighbouring fairs, particularly
at Berhampore and Harrier Ohutter, or Sonapore. Probably two-thirds of the whole quantity
made are exported from the district, while the annual expenditure in the district will vary from
20,000 to 25,000 rupees worth per annum."
These striped designs appear to be peculiarly fitted to harmonize with the idea of the
material and the manufacture. The earliest application of the principle might be seen in some
of the common striped cotton rugs from Shahabad; plain blue and white stripes, with just some
little additional piece of decoration, to destroy the effect of monotony. Of a more advanced
stage were the Dhurees, or small carpets, generally of five colours, much used in zemindarees
and small cutcherries. The entire class of these cotton carpets present models for the European
manufacturer to adopt and work upon; and we regret to find that those most influential in the
manufactures of India are endeavouring to get the Hindoo to forego his just and good taste for
Manchester ideas of what design should be. We do not think India has at all been properly
exploits, and we yet hope to find the magnificent carpets of Mirzapore, Benares, Jubbulpore,
Masulipatam, Sasseeram, and other seats of manufacture ; the handsome rugs of Allahabad,
Mysore, Tanjore; the cheap rugs of Bengal, and the costly silk ones of the Madras Presidency,
forming a large item in the exports of India to Europe.
INDIAN COTTON CARPETS.
A MONGST the very beautiful productions of the Indian loom, there were probably none more
^^^ striking and characteristic than the cotton carpets and rugs, or " Suttringees," in general
use throughout the country. They are excellent, both in design and colour; are entirely made
of cotton, and may be considered, says Mr. Dowleans, from whose valuable contributions to the
Indian Catalogue we subjoin the following matter,—" A cheap substitute for woollen carpets; they
are used by every one, European or native, and the annual manufacture is consequently very
considerable, especially in Bengal, where they form a large and important branch of inland trade.
They are of all sizes, from that of the largest carpet to the smallest rug; but generally of one
and the same pattern throughout India, the only difference being the colour. Blue and white,
and red and white stripes constitute the prevalent patterns; but in some, one colour of darker
and lighter hues is employed. In Meerut, Bareilly, and Patna new patterns have of late been
tried with considerable success; but, though preferred by the Europeans, are not by the natives,
who like the striped patterns, because they wear better in daily use, and do not lose the freshness
of colour by washing. The principal localities where Suttringees are manufactured are Agra,
Bareilly, Patna, Shahabad, Beerbhoom, and Burdwan. Those manufactured at Agra are considered
the best, and the value of their annual production is about £10,000. In Shahabad the quantity
manufactured last year was nearly £7,000, and the same may be assumed to have been produced
in the other places above mentioned. Suttringees vary in price, according to size and quality :
the small ones are valued from 3s. to 156'., and the larger ones, carpet size" (from which our
illustration is taken), "from £1. 10s. to £4, the price in many cases being regulated by weight."
Mr. R. W. Bingham, who exhibited several good examples, states, that " from being made
of cotton they are cool and pleasant, and are in invariable use by the better class of natives,
and by all Europeans; the smaller kinds are used as quilts for beds, and of late the Government
has given them to its European soldiers for that purpose. The manufacturers, called in this
district ' Kalleeun Bap,' are almost invariably Mussulmen of the weaver class, who will make
carpets of any size and pattern given in strips. The two local seats of manufacture in Shahabad
are Bubbooah and Sasseeram. In "the former place from 10,000 to 12,000 rupees worth are
yearly manufactured and sold, and in the latter from 30,000 to 40,000 rupees. These Dhurees
or carpets are sold readily in all the bazaars around, and at all the neighbouring fairs, particularly
at Berhampore and Harrier Ohutter, or Sonapore. Probably two-thirds of the whole quantity
made are exported from the district, while the annual expenditure in the district will vary from
20,000 to 25,000 rupees worth per annum."
These striped designs appear to be peculiarly fitted to harmonize with the idea of the
material and the manufacture. The earliest application of the principle might be seen in some
of the common striped cotton rugs from Shahabad; plain blue and white stripes, with just some
little additional piece of decoration, to destroy the effect of monotony. Of a more advanced
stage were the Dhurees, or small carpets, generally of five colours, much used in zemindarees
and small cutcherries. The entire class of these cotton carpets present models for the European
manufacturer to adopt and work upon; and we regret to find that those most influential in the
manufactures of India are endeavouring to get the Hindoo to forego his just and good taste for
Manchester ideas of what design should be. We do not think India has at all been properly
exploits, and we yet hope to find the magnificent carpets of Mirzapore, Benares, Jubbulpore,
Masulipatam, Sasseeram, and other seats of manufacture ; the handsome rugs of Allahabad,
Mysore, Tanjore; the cheap rugs of Bengal, and the costly silk ones of the Madras Presidency,
forming a large item in the exports of India to Europe.