History of Khadi- A Fabric that became the symbol of India's Freedom Struggle

"Khadi- a symbol of Indian textile heritage"

Nearly after seven decades of India's independence, Khadi has still navigated its place in the closet of every Indian household. 

The word Khadi is derived from "Khaddar", a term used for the hand spun fabric of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Majorly made from cotton, but nowadays it is also made from silk and woolen yarns define as Khadi silk and Khadi wool. Khadi fabric is famous for its rugged texture. Keeping the body warm in winters while cool during summers.

Khadi is broadly manufactured in two steps, first by converting the fiber into yarns with the use of tools like spinning wheel and then weaving it into the fabric using looms.

Brief History of Khadi

The process of hand spinning and hand weaving has been reviving in India for a thousand years now, thus making the Khadi an ancient fabric. The essence of the same has been found in Indus Valley Civilization (around 2800 B.C.).According to archaeologist Indus Valley Civilization has a well-develop and flourish business of textiles. Discover of famous sculpture found in Mohenjodaro Priest-King Sculpture wears an elegant robe over the shoulder with patterns that are still used in modern Sindh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

Khadi And Charkha - The spinning wheel of freedom

‘The spinning wheel represents to me the hope of the masses. The masses lost their freedom, such as it was, with the loss of the Charkha. The Charkha supplemented the agriculture of the villagers and gave it dignity.’

-Mahatma Gandhi

Over the years with different modifications and changes the Indian Khadi become more refined. And finally finding its own revival from Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi. He soon understood the potential of Khadi made it a tool of being self-reliant, independent, and bringing the economy of villages back to life.

The linking of Khadi with the Swadeshi movement of 1907 also known as the "Make in India" campaign, gave the fabric immense popularity and sense of acceptance among Indians. Mahatma Gandhi promoted the simplicity of Khadi fabric and spread the message of boycotting all the foreign goods during the movement. He has made Khadi the nation's fabric.

‘If we have the ‘khadi spirit’ in us, we would surround ourselves with simplicity in every walk of life. The ‘khadi spirit’ means illimitable patience. For those who know anything about the production of khadi know how patiently the spinners and the weavers have to toil at their trade, and even so, must we have patience while we are spinning ‘the thread of Swaraj.’

The ‘khadi spirit’ means fellow-feeling with every human being on earth. It means a complete renunciation of everything that is likely to harm our fellow creatures, and if we but cultivate that spirit amongst the millions of our countrymen, what a land this India of ours would be! And the more I move about the country and the more I see the things for myself, the richer, the stronger is my faith growing in the capacity of the spinning wheel.’

-Mahatma Gandhi

In 1925 after the Non-Cooperation movement All India Spinners Association was established with the aim of developing, producing, and selling khadi. For the next two decades, all Indian organizations worked tirelessly to promote and advance khadi production techniques and provide employment to India’s impoverished weavers.

After Independence, the same movement continued led to the creation of All India Khadi and Village Industries Board which later culminated in the formation of Khadi, Village and Industries Commission. Ever since KVIC has been planning and executing the development of the khadi industry in India. Majorly Responsible for the planning, promotion, organization, and implementation of programs for the development of khadi and other village industries in rural areas with the coordination of other agencies to enhance rural development wherever necessary.

Nowadays, the journey of this eco-friendly fabric has already found its marketplace and special place in the heart of end-users. Not only in India but Khadi has won immense popularity all over the world.

 This Independence day lets celebrate the journey of Khadi with some of IWEARKHADI finest pieces.

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