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Vol-1, XX1X
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ART OF APPARELS
55
Apparels of Saka Parthian period (Ca 1st century B.C. to Mid 1st century A.D.):
Gandhara Region.
Gandhara is the name given to an ancient region expedition by Alexander the Great, i.e. Western Asiatic regions, Central Asia, Indus river, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, India as well as China. Gandhara almost became a second Holy land of Buddhism.
During this period the Indian culture flourished and spread to the Gangetic region and up to Central Asia. Commerce too flourished between India and The Roman Empire. During this period costumes were developed to a great extent. Sculptures found depict this progress to a greater extent. Sculptures found from Gandhara. Mathura and Amravati. Nagarjuna konda all were the sources of information about this period. Saka rule extended at least as far into the Indian Peninsula as Mathura. A number of sculptures were also found in Mathura.
In this period the main costumes were Dhoti, Duppatta, Turban for males and sarees and Ordhani for females. South Indian Women would wear scarlet flowered silk. The Tamil women wore sarees and did not wear any other upper garment. Some primitive women wore skirts made from leaves. Stitched garments like tunics, trousers, caps, etc., were also worn by the people of this era. Not just Indian but Central Asiatic garments were worn.
Cotton clothes were extensively used. Cotton was cultivated and woven as a fine cloth. The Naga race of Kalinga made the finest muslim, which was exported to foreign countries. The plain white silk was also in great demand. Chinese Silk known as 'Cina' in India which was used to make a variety of costumes like Silk Sarees called Patola from Gujarat also called as Vicitra. - Patolaka.
Many varieties of Wool were also used during this time. The woolen cloth was known as 'Dusiya'. The most popular amongst this were the shawls from Kashmir. The linen during this period was also one of the fabrics and was manufactured from fibers of fruits.
The texture of cloth produced at Benares was fine, and skilled weavers and spinners obtained this fineness and smoothness. Benares was also famous for its skill in the manufacture of silk cloth. It was famous and leading silk producing center in India in ancient time. The Golden Brocade cloth was also manufactured
