From the roughly woven and thickly knotted mats of jute, wool and cotton to the hand woven intricacy of a Persian rug absorbing the warm light of glinting crystal chandeliers of an opulent household, the carpet has evolved through centuries from a necessity to a luxury. A theory states that carpets originated as artistic pieces and were vividly coloured to be displayed during festivals while another theory suggests that the origin of carpets lies with the nomads who used the knotted mats to protect themselves from adverse climatic conditions.
The loom of a labourer bent over strands of wool carefully knotting them into subtle or flamboyant designs, produced exquisite craftsmanship and ultimate pieces of art. Carpet production moved on from these ancient looms to machines producing carpets that were affordable, but lacked the finesse and artistic quality of a hand woven carpet.
With the onset of the Afghan war, carpet dealers and weavers flocked to Peshawar and established a hub of carpet dealing and manufacturing in the city. Muhammad Ibrar Sethi, a carpet dealer and distributor in Peshawar says, “I can remember the time when 2000 carpet dealing shops were found in Peshawar alone and the area was a leader in manufacturing hand woven carpets. The deep red richness and oriental designs of the Khan Mohammadi rugs were unmatched by any other type.” The Khan Mohammadi carpets, originating from Afghanistan became the identity of the carpets from Peshawar as weavers fled to Peshawar from the war torn country. Their richness and geometrical patterns enhanced the ambience of the opulent households of the city adding to the character of a room.
Khal Mohammad, the originator of the carpets was a master at dying fabric and a rug trader living in Northern Afghanistan. He wanted to project the talent of carpet weavers in Afghanistan and founded the Khan Mohammadi carpet, this being the only instance that a carpet was named after a person as opposed to its location of origin. Despite the instability in Afghanistan, Khal Mohammad refused to leave the country and manufactured carpets throughout the Soviet occupation and the following civil unrest. However, several weavers of the carpet flocked to refugee camps in Peshawar and the Khan Mohammadi rugs manufacturing began in the city.
The Kargai rugs, also manufactured in Peshawar by Afghan refugees, replicated ancient patterns and designs and were dyed in soft shades of beige and brown. The climate of Peshawar is particularly suitable for the dying, washing and weaving of carpets, therefore attracting manufacturers and weavers since ancient times.
The depth and beauty of the naturally dyed carpets in the area remains unmatched, as the natural dyes merge within the other creating intricate patterns that leave onlookers amazed at the perfect symmetry of the designs. The carpets also sing tale of warriors and princesses as imprinted images form a Pictionary of legendary stories.
