Malda silk
Malda silk is a type of high-quality[1] silk obtained from the Nista variety of Bombyx mori, and the Japanese bivoltine silkworm, which is produced in the Malda district of West Bengal.[2] The silk yarn produced from the Nista variety is one of the finest silk yarns in the world,[1] as a result of which the weave of this silk is quite soft.
This silk carries the silk tradition of Bengal. In the past, the silk produced in Bengal was known as Bengal Silk or Ganga Silk. It was exported from Malda to various countries including Europe.
Currently, the Nista silk and its yarn produced in Malda have gained fame. This silk is of a bright golden yellow color and its thickness is 2-2.4 denier. Yarn made from Nista variety of Bombyx mori was recognized as a GI product in 2026 under the name Malda Nista Silk Yarn.[3][4] Malda silk is in high demand in North India—especially Uttar Pradesh and South India; it is also exported abroad.
History
[edit]Since ancient times, Malda has been one of the most important centres of silk production and trade in Bengal, and the silk industry was also widely renowned. Kautilya's Arthashastra, written in 321 BC, indicates that silk fabrics known as Kausheya were procured from a country called Pundariksha (the ancient name of the Malda region).[5]
According to a local folktale recorded by Hunter, there was a trade in Malda textiles with Russia in the 16th century. Large quantities of silk produced in Malda were sent to Mirzapur and Benares through monk traders.[5]
Production
[edit]Production area
[edit]Silk is produced in all the community development blocks of Malda district. In the state of West Bengal, Malda Nistari silk yarn is mainly produced in Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum districts. Of these districts, about 70% of the total raw Malda Nistari silk production comes from Malda.The entire region of Malda district; Khargram, Nabagram, Jalangi, Beldanga and Berhampur Sadar blocks of Murshidabad district and Bhadrapur, Nalhati, Rampurhat-1 and Rampurhat-2, Kotasur and Mallarpur blocks of Birbhum district are specifically involved in the production of Malda Nistari Silk Yarn.[6]
Uses
[edit]Malda silk, especially Nistari silk yarn, is used as a drawn yarn to make baluchari, garad,[7] and korial[8] saris.[7] Malda Nistari silk yarn is exported to Bhutan, where it is used to weave traditional garments called "gho" and "kira".[9]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Saha, Rupa (27 July 2022). "মালদায় চালু হচ্ছে সিল্ক পার্ক, উচ্ছ্বসিত রেশম চাষিরা" [Silk Park is going to open in Malda, silk farmers are excited]. Eisamay Online (in Bengali). Retrieved 11 July 2026. Malda থেকেই উন্নতমানের রেশম পৃথিবীর বিভিন্ন দেশে রফতানি করা হয়।...মালদার রেশম জগৎ বিখ্যাত। উন্নতমানের রেশম পৃথিবীর বিভিন্ন দেশে রফতানি করা হয় মালদা থেকেই। এমনকি ভারতবর্ষজুড়ে মালদার রেশমের সুতো দিয়ে কাজ হয়৷ [High-quality silk from Malda is exported to various countries around the world. ...Malda's silk is world famous. High-quality silk is exported from Malda to various countries around the world. Even Malda silk yarn is used throughout India.]
- ↑ "তড়িঘড়ি সিল্ক পার্কের উদ্বোধন, কী বলছে রেশমচাষিরা". 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Registrar 2024, p. 98.
- ↑ "GI status sought for Malda's traditional silk carathan". 23 December 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- 1 2 Registrar 2025, p. 100.
- ↑ Registrar 2025, p. 100—107.
- 1 2 Registrar 2023, p. 28.
- ↑ Registrar 2023, p. 39.
- ↑ Registrar 2025, p. 106.
Sources
[edit]- Registrar, Geographical Indications (29 November 2024). "Geographical Indication Journal No-199". Geographical Indication Journal. Chennai: Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- Registrar, Geographical Indications (31 August 2023). "Geographical Indication Journal No 178". Geographical Indication Journal. Chennai: Geographical Indication Registry, Chennai. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
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