Clothing materials have a long and complex history.
The earliest materials used for clothing were natural fibers from plants and animals, such as grass, fur, leather, and leaves.
Anthropologists believe that the Neanderthals, who lived 200,000-30,000 years ago, were the first humans to create clothes as protection from extreme temperatures and ice ages.
The oldest known cloth material is flax fiber, dating back 36,000 years.
Other early textiles include cotton, which was cultivated in the Indus River Valley around 3000 BC, and wool, which was first woven in Egypt around 4000 BC. Silk production began in China around 3000 BC.
Over time, humans developed more advanced textile techniques like knitting, which emerged around 6500 BC.
The invention of the sewing needle also allowed for the stitching of clothes, rather than just draping fabrics.
Synthetic fibers like nylon, discovered in 1935, have also become important clothing materials.
The choice of clothing materials has been influenced by factors like environment, culture, and technological progress.
Clothing and textiles reflect the materials and technologies available in different civilizations throughout history.
The history of Khadi dates back to ancient times in India. The fabric was first used by the Indus Valley Civilization around 12000 to 5000 BC for clothing and household items.
Hand-spun cotton was a significant part of India’s textile heritage, and the process of hand spinning and weaving continued to evolve over the centuries.
This tradition continued through the periods and the Mughal era, with different regions specializing in specific techniques using cotton, silk, or wool.
