The story
Bhagalpur, called the Silk City, has woven tussar silk for centuries along the Ganga at Nathnagar and Champanagar. Tussar cocoons from the Santhal Pargana forests and generations of Ansari and Tanti weaving families made it a natural centre. Handlooms now work alongside powerlooms, and Bhagalpur Silk is GI-registered.
In numbers
Bhagalpur is home to nearly 30,000 weavers operating about 25,000 looms; together the sector supports over 1 lakh livelihoods.
GST Rate Rationalisation: Expanding Opportunities for Bihar (PIB factsheet) · 2025The Bhagalpur powerloom cluster had 300 functional units, a turnover of Rs. 500 lakh and employment of 700.
Brief Industrial Profile of Bhagalpur District, MSME-DI Patna, Ministry of MSME · 2012
GI tag
- Bhagalpur SilkApplication no. Application No. 180Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
Ways in for a newcomer
- Sell Bhagalpuri silk sarees and stoles online
- Yarn banks and dyeing units for weavers
- Design and finishing services for export orders
Problems the cluster faces
- Soaring yarn prices and imported silk competition
- Noisy, old looms and low weaver incomes
- Weavers leaving the trade
Businesses to start here
Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →Saree Dyeing and Printing →Zari and Silk Embroidery →Bedsheet Weaving Unit (Power Loom) →