Spices and Goods of India

Silk

 According to Confucius, in 2640 BC Chinese Emperor Huan Ti’s wife Lady Xi Ling Shi
discovered a Silk Cocoon. The silk of than Cocoon was coming from the stomach of that
Silkworm. As a result, very soon Emperor Huan Ti developed the practice of Sericulture.
 Many historians also said that Silk was cultivated at the time of Indus Valley Civilization.
But this practice of silk cultivation ended with the end of IVC.
 Therefore for 2000 years, China had its monopoly over Silk.
 Silk was exported out of China in 440 AD.
 The trade of silk was carried out through sea routes.
 Silk was introduced in India during Maurya dynasty at the time of Emperor Ashoka – silk
was exchanged with the preaching of Buddhism in China from India.
 During 5th and 6th century AD, Buddhism was preached by silk merchants.
 Zoroastrians migrated from Southern Persia to Gujarat, India. They were then called
Parsis.
 In 1572 AD, Akbar took these Gujarati weavers to its royal workshop. Akbar then
brought silk weavers from East Turkistan to India – to set them at Kashmir.
 First modern silk textile mill was established in 1832 at Howrah by East India Company.
 2 more factories were started at Karnataka in 1845 and at Kashmir in 1895.
 From 1875-1915, silk industry went down due to Pebrine disease. Then British Raj took
this industry under them.
 Today, world’s 78% silk is manufactured in China and 18% in India.