HISTORY OF MAHESHWARI HANDLOOMS

Maheshwari handlooms owe their name to Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, the ruler of the state of Indore in the late 18th century. Her reign was deemed the Golden Age, and she is revered by all at Maheshwar as Devi Ahilyabai or Ma Saab till date. She embellished the towns with many buildings and public works and ensured the well-being of the people of her state.

In the late 1700's, in order to find them a better livelihood, the Maharani invited weaver communities to come teach her people the craft of weaving. The community of weavers that settled in Maheshwar due to her efforts were originally known to be from Manduweaving for the Mughals, what was then known to be the finest fabric of Madhya Pradesh. She gifted the beautiful, light textiles that were created to royal dignitaries and Peshwa Kings as welcoming presents. The craft slowly found royal patronage and thus, the handloom weaving tradition in Maheshwar began.