The story
Maheshwar, on the Narmada in Khargone district, was the capital of the Holkar queen Ahilyabai, and weaving grew there under royal patronage. Maheshwari sarees are light cotton and silk-cotton sarees with a reversible border, woven on handlooms in the town and nearby villages. Maheshwar Sarees & Fabrics is a registered GI.
In numbers
Maheshwar Sarees & Fabrics was registered as a GI in 2012-13 under application number 197.
Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India) · 2026
GI tag
- Maheshwar Sarees & FabricsApplication no. GI Application No. 197Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Online and direct sale of GI-tagged Maheshwari sarees
- Yarn and natural-dye supply to weavers
- Design and product development for home textiles
- Heritage weaving tours tied to Maheshwar's ghats and fort
Problems the cluster faces
- Imitation 'Maheshwari' sarees made outside the region
- Rising yarn prices
- Young people leaving weaving for other work
Businesses to start here
Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →Shawls, Stoles, Scarves and Wraps →Regional Speciality Products E-commerce Marketplace →Community-Based Village Tourism →