Dhurrie Weaving in Alwar: Flat-Woven Cotton Rugs

Alwar district has a tradition of dhurrie weaving, producing flat-woven cotton rugs characterised by bold geometric patterns in natural dyes. Dhurries (from the Persian dari, floor covering) are woven on simple frame looms by Julaha (weaver) community artisans. Unlike pile carpets, dhurries are woven flat with supplementary weft threads forming the pattern, making them thin, washable, and reversible. Traditional patterns include horizontal stripes, diamonds, and chevron motifs in undyed natural cotton combined with madder-red, indigo-blue, and turmeric-yellow dyed threads. Alwar dhurries were traditionally made for household floor coverings, prayer mats, and pack saddles. Contemporary production has moved toward designed pieces for interior decoration markets. Craft cooperatives in Alwar sell dhurries at government emporiums in Jaipur and Delhi. Export buyers increasingly specify traditional natural dye processes, reviving some older dyeing techniques.