History of Silk

Silk has a long history. The origins of silk date back thousands of years. Most historians and archeologists, however, would agree that the practices and traditions of silk evolved in ancient China. Sericulture, the process of raising silk worms for the production of silk, is credited to China and dates back to 3000 BC in Zhejiang where the earliest excavated silk was discovered in a group of ribbons, threads and woven fragments, all dyed red.

A Buddhist monk is credited with bringing the Chinese techniques of silk-reeling to India during the Gupta period (AD 400-600). It is presumed that he brought the eggs of the Bombyxmori, for the technique of reeling silk culture.Silk was deemed by the Hindus to be a pure substance, so pure that it was not considered necessary to wash it before ceremonial use. Orthodox Vaishnavite Hindus and Jains abhor the taking of life, and certain holy centers produce a silk known as matka (mutka) from the cocoons of moths which have completed their cycle and broken out of their cocoons. Since no killing is involved, this silk is considered unpolluted and suitable for the garments and ropes of the sacred processional chariots and for the ritual swings used during the Krishna festival.