Cotton Handloom Weaving in Hingoli: A Marathwada Tradition

Hingoli district's handloom weaving tradition, practised by Khatri (weaver caste) and Sawal communities, produces cotton cloth for local consumption. Traditional products include dhotis, lungis, and plain cotton fabric woven on pit looms. The weaving community in Hingoli town and Basmath taluka has been supported by Maharashtra's powerloom and handloom development programmes. Historical records of Hingoli weaving mention trade in cotton cloth with Hyderabad markets during the Nizam period. Some Hingoli weavers produce cotton-silk blend fabric with zari borders, influenced by the Aurangabad Himroo tradition. Women's handloom cooperatives are being supported with training in marketing, product diversification, and quality improvement. The introduction of warp-and-weft printing techniques on handloom cloth has helped some Hingoli weavers access urban fashion markets with print-on-handloom products.