DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25990#0182
FABRICS FROM CENTRAL ASIA AND RUSSIA.
145
FABRICS FROM CENTRAL ASIA AND RUSSIA.
In Vol. XV. of the series of sample books we have included a number (67) of specimens
of fabrics which are stated to have been manufactured in various parts of what is
usually known as Central Asia, and also in Russia.
These are of very considerable interest as affording a key to some of the kinds of Textile
materials suited to the wants and tastes of the vast population inhabiting the countries to
the north and northwest of the Himalayas; and these along with many other productions
are, probably, capable of being supplied from the Indian side by the exercise of British and
Native enterprise.
The specimens alluded to were originally purchased in the Shikarpore Bazaar, in Upper
Sind, and forwarded to Sir Henry Willock, when chairman of the Court of Directors
of the East India Company.
The samples, so far as we have been able to ascertain, were unaccompanied by any special
memorandum giving the particulars of the collection, so that we are unable to say to
whom we are indebted for the selection of the specimens.
The information furnished with the labels attached to the samples, giving the place of
manufacture, the name of the material, and the price at which it was bought in Shikarpore
has been transferred to the subjoined Table in wdiich the various examples have been
grouped geographically and in the following order, viz., from Bokhara, Meshed, Herat,
Yezd, Balk, Kokan, and lastly Russia.
Although the information as given would imply that the samples were, in each case,
manufactured at the place mentioned, the statement must be taken with a certain amount
of reservation, as we believe that at least some of them are from China, while a few
others not inserted under the head of Russia are probably from that country.*
* The cotton twilled material called Naukrr, also Naka, in white, and also in blue, green, &c., is a favourite
throughout all parts of Turkistan. Regarding this class of goods, Mookhtar Shah, of Cashmere, who, in 1852,
sent to Major G-eorge Macgregor, Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, certain samples brought by merchants from
Turkistan, writes, “ Of the Naka cloths from Russia, and all parts of Turkistan, and through the country of
Khorassan, thousands of camel-loads are annually brought into Bokhara, and from thence they are taken to
other countries.
“ They are named in the Turkish language, but it is unknown by what name they are called in Russia, but
in Khorassan and Cashmere they are called by the Turkish names. They are universally used, and are of
various colours. * * * Ten or fifteen thousand pieces are brought to Cabool alone. They are made up at
Bokhara in dresses called Cliogha.
“ All the middling classes and the poor make use of them. Each piece makes not less than three Choghas,
The merchants make their purchases at Bokhara, and carry them to other countries, pricing their goods
according to the distance they have to travel.”
The Book containing the samples, and the Report from which the above is an extract is in our possession.
A few of the examples differ from those referred to in the Tables, and may, together with the information
attached to them, prove of use for reference.
145
FABRICS FROM CENTRAL ASIA AND RUSSIA.
In Vol. XV. of the series of sample books we have included a number (67) of specimens
of fabrics which are stated to have been manufactured in various parts of what is
usually known as Central Asia, and also in Russia.
These are of very considerable interest as affording a key to some of the kinds of Textile
materials suited to the wants and tastes of the vast population inhabiting the countries to
the north and northwest of the Himalayas; and these along with many other productions
are, probably, capable of being supplied from the Indian side by the exercise of British and
Native enterprise.
The specimens alluded to were originally purchased in the Shikarpore Bazaar, in Upper
Sind, and forwarded to Sir Henry Willock, when chairman of the Court of Directors
of the East India Company.
The samples, so far as we have been able to ascertain, were unaccompanied by any special
memorandum giving the particulars of the collection, so that we are unable to say to
whom we are indebted for the selection of the specimens.
The information furnished with the labels attached to the samples, giving the place of
manufacture, the name of the material, and the price at which it was bought in Shikarpore
has been transferred to the subjoined Table in wdiich the various examples have been
grouped geographically and in the following order, viz., from Bokhara, Meshed, Herat,
Yezd, Balk, Kokan, and lastly Russia.
Although the information as given would imply that the samples were, in each case,
manufactured at the place mentioned, the statement must be taken with a certain amount
of reservation, as we believe that at least some of them are from China, while a few
others not inserted under the head of Russia are probably from that country.*
* The cotton twilled material called Naukrr, also Naka, in white, and also in blue, green, &c., is a favourite
throughout all parts of Turkistan. Regarding this class of goods, Mookhtar Shah, of Cashmere, who, in 1852,
sent to Major G-eorge Macgregor, Deputy Commissioner of Lahore, certain samples brought by merchants from
Turkistan, writes, “ Of the Naka cloths from Russia, and all parts of Turkistan, and through the country of
Khorassan, thousands of camel-loads are annually brought into Bokhara, and from thence they are taken to
other countries.
“ They are named in the Turkish language, but it is unknown by what name they are called in Russia, but
in Khorassan and Cashmere they are called by the Turkish names. They are universally used, and are of
various colours. * * * Ten or fifteen thousand pieces are brought to Cabool alone. They are made up at
Bokhara in dresses called Cliogha.
“ All the middling classes and the poor make use of them. Each piece makes not less than three Choghas,
The merchants make their purchases at Bokhara, and carry them to other countries, pricing their goods
according to the distance they have to travel.”
The Book containing the samples, and the Report from which the above is an extract is in our possession.
A few of the examples differ from those referred to in the Tables, and may, together with the information
attached to them, prove of use for reference.