The handloom industry occupies a place of prominence in cur country’s economy by virtue of its being the largest cottage industry providing means of livelihood to millions, particularly in the rural area.

The history of the handloom industry dates back to the Epic Ages. The Tussar silk of Bhagalpur, Gossamer silk of Varanasi, fine Muslin of Dacca and Patola of Baroda and other fabrics of Assam, Manipur, Orissa and South India have been famous for ages. Export of handwoven cloth dates back to the time of Gautama Buddha. The handloom fabrics of India occupied a priceless position in the early civilisations of Egypt, Rome and Babylon. It is well-known that from early times upto the 18th Century handloom textiles of excellent quality and workmanship were exported in considerable quantities to European countries.Till the 19th century, when there were no machines for weaving, the handloom industry was the sole supplier of cloth in the country.