2021-03-15 Mon

The first record of fashioned cloth as a status or style statement rather than a part of the basic need is trace to the fifth millennium BC in the Indus valley civilization. It was the first time truly when the cloth was fashioned worn as a status or style statement rather than a part of basic need.

India was the first place where cotton was cultivated and used, it evidence in the Harrapa culture in the Indus-Saraswati civilization. The remnant of the ancient cloth is discovered from sites. The earliest evidence is found from the figures of the odder goddess found from the site of Mohenji-Daro wearing an elaborated headgear supported by a pair of bands, tight-fitted tunic and skin fastened with waistband using medallion link clasp.

Another is the priest-king sculpture with its head-band and leaf shape design on its shoulder indicating a fort of body-cloth. Another sculpture was found with long-robs. The clothing system in Indus-valley was related to people social and economic status. The upper class wore fine muslin garments and silk fabric while the common wore garments made up of local fabric.

India post introduced fashion on stamp series in 2019 to mark the origin of the cloths. The stamp depicts the priest-king. The purpose to introduce these stamps was to convey the history of India’s diverse costumes and garments origin and history.

Image Courtesy: Colnet