History of weaving in Nepal

Weaving in Nepal has a long history though no ancient rugs have been found as testaments to the fact. However, the writings by ancient travelers and traders describing the clothes and rugs of the region confirm their existence. Rugs served as important material against the harsh cold in the Himalayas, particularly during winter months, and people from different regions had specific names for rugs and clothes although their sources came from the same animals such as yak, sheep and rabbit. They used these animals' wool and some plants for fibers. Cotton is also known to have been used from early centuries of the Christian era, especially in the hilly and southern plain region, but they were weaved using different processes and had different names from one community to another.

The first written evidence of weaving in Nepal is in the Indian sources of the Asoka period in the second century AD. The Arthasastra refers to Nepali blankets sold in Kautilyas. The description of the blankets in the book says that there were eight small parts sown together to form a whole, black in color, waterproof and called Bhingisi. Another book, Apasarka, of about the same time describes the same woolen blankets sold in Pataliputra (which is now known as Patna in India). By the third century this trade appears to have been well established between Kathmandu and Pataliputra. Textile in Nepal seems to have been developed before the Indian influence entered the country with pilgrims and traders from the South.

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