BENARASI BROCADE

Benarasi Brocade refers to the intricate handloom textiles woven in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Known for its exquisite designs, this specialty fabric features patterns created by interweaving Zari threads—made from real gold—between the warp at calculated intervals. Traditionally woven on Drawlooms or 'Jalla,' modern advancements have introduced Jacquard looms for more efficient design planning. A subset known as 'Tanchoi' uses only silk yarn, while the 'Jamdani' technique employs handlaid designs on cotton, executed on traditional pit looms. Varanasi has two main weaving sectors, Alaipura and Madanpura, each with distinct techniques. The region's rich textile heritage gained prominence in the 19th century, with silk weavers migrating from Gujarat, and the craft saw significant advancements during the Mughal era, especially under Emperor Akbar.