Question

India has a monopoly in the production of Muga Silk. It is produced in the states of ___.
A) Assam and Bihar
B) Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
C) Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
D) Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh

Answer 1

Hint: Muga silk is a wild silk type. The silk has a natural yellowish-golden colour with a dazzling, glossy texture and is noted for its remarkable durability. It was originally designated for royalty use. Antheraea assamensis is the silkmoth responsible for Muga silk production.

Complete answer:
Muga silk is utilised in saris, makhanas, and chadors, as well as other Assam silks. Muga silk is a type of wild silk that is native to the Indian state of Assam. The silk has a natural yellowish-golden colour with a shimmering, glossy texture and is noted for its remarkable durability.

Now, let us look at the given options:
A) Assam and Bihar: This is the correct option. Muga culture is unique to the former British colony of Muga. Assam is the world's largest producer of Muga silk. Though Assam produces all four species of silk, the Muga and Eri silks, sometimes known as Vanya silks, have received special attention and this silk is produced in Bihar. Muga Silk is made exclusively in Assam from the cocoons of Saturniidae silkworms that feed on Som and Soalu plants.
B) Bihar and Uttar Pradesh: This option is incorrect because Bihar produces Eri silk. It is not a producer of Muga silk. Muga silk from Assam is one of the world's rarest silks. It's only made in Assam, and nowhere else. Hence, it is not produced in Bihar or Uttar Pradesh.
C) Karnataka and Tamil Nadu: This option is incorrect because Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are famous for producing Mulberry silk, they do not produce Muga silk.
D) Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh: This option is incorrect because Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are famous for producing Mulberry silk. They do not produce Muga silk.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (A) i.e, Assam and Bihar.

Note:
- There are five commercially important forms of silk produced by distinct species of silkworms. Mulberry, Oak Tasar & Tropical Tasar, Muga, and Eri are among them.
- South India is the country's largest silk producer, with prominent silk weaving enclaves such as Kancheepuram, Dharmavaram, Arni, and others.