The story
Carpet weaving came to Kashmir from Persia in the 15th century, and weavers still follow a coded pattern script called talim, read aloud while knotting. Looms are set up in homes across Srinagar and nearby villages, and traders supply silk or wool and buy the finished carpets. Kashmiri carpets are known for high knot density and Persian-style designs. A GI label with a QR code was introduced to stop machine-made or imported carpets being sold as Kashmiri.
In numbers
Hand-knotted carpet shipments were worth ₹728 crore in the last three years, as per the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir.
Daily Excelsior — Kashmir shawls, carpet lead in exports · 2025
GI tag
- Kashmiri Hand Knotted CarpetApplication no. GI Application No. 527IP India — Registration Details of Geographical Indications
- Kashmir NamdaApplication no. GI Application No. 868IP India — Registration Details of Geographical Indications
- GabbaApplication no. GI Application No. 902IP India — Registration Details of Geographical Indications
Ways in for a newcomer
- Selling GI-certified carpets online to overseas buyers
- Carpet washing, repair and finishing services
- Supplying dyed silk and wool yarn to weavers
- Carpet showrooms for tourists with authentic GI labels
Problems the cluster faces
- Iranian and machine-made carpets passed off as Kashmiri
- Weavers' low wages and health issues
- Long production time ties up capital
- Export demand swings
Businesses to start here
Silk Carpet Weaving →Handmade Carpet Weaving Unit →Carpet Finishing Unit →Wool Felt Products →Carpet Cleaning Service →