Kashmir's Carpet Industry Revives with Record-Breaking Silk Creations

“This is the right time to prioritize international exposure for exporters, especially in sustainability-driven markets. International trade fairs are crucial. In the past, foreign buyers placed large bulk orders for Kashmiri handmade carpets through such platforms. Done right, this can secure a long-term revival and reposition Kashmiri carpets prominently on the global stage.”

“Our domestic market is huge. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, even if just one per cent of India’s population buys handmade carpets, it can sustain the entire industry. With 147 crore people, that one percent can do wonders.”

“There was a slight decline, but the recovery is visible. We expect strong carpet sales through 2026, with exports projected to cross ₹1,000 crore. Our carpets are regaining ground in markets such as the United States, the Middle East and Australia, aided by international exposure programmes. Iran has fallen behind and we are now competing closely with Turkey. With sustained effort and marketing, Kashmir can soon reclaim its position at the top of the global handmade carpet trade.”

“Without GI tagging, this trade might not have survived. Buyers spending lakhs or crores were hesitant earlier. The GI tag has restored confidence.”

“These carpets are not just products but business statements, proof that Kashmir can still command the world’s most demanding buyers. They show that Kashmir can still compete globally, and that patience has a place in a world driven by speed.”

“If artisans who have given their lives to this craft still earn so little, how can the next generation be persuaded to stay?”

“It was something we had never attempted before but we also knew this was our chance to show the world what Kashmiri hands can do. The scale alone was daunting. Nothing of this size had ever been made in Jammu and Kashmir. But we decided to take on the challenge, and through patience and persistence we made it possible. Now we know we can go even larger.”

“Trying to compete with machines cost us our place in the market. Today, we are clear about our strength. Machines can produce speed but we produce craftsmanship, quality and precision.”

“These buyers are not looking for speed. They are looking for carpets that are both visually appealing and uncompromising in quality.”

“You have to convince the buyer, design a loom that can handle the size, and then inspect the project for years.”

“When the order came, we said yes because we knew Kashmir has master artisans capable of executing work of this class. But skill alone is not enough. You need the right loom for a project of this scale. Without such looms, it simply cannot be done.”

“This was a high-density, silk-on-silk piece, something that had not been attempted at this scale before. Orders like these are what take the industry forward.”

“Not just the world’s largest carpets, but doing out-of-the-box work with design is also helping the industry return to the global spotlight. Innovation in motifs and colour combinations has worked wonders for Kashmir’s carpet industry, which was staring into oblivion.”

“This is about restoring trust like when a buyer scans the code, they know exactly where the carpet came from and who made it.”