Question

How do the names of different textiles tell us about their histories?

Answer 1

Hint: In European marketplaces, various types of Indian textiles were sold: Khasa, Bandanna, Calico and Chintz. Textiles made of cotton and silk were extremely popular in Europe.

Complete answer:
A textile is a flexible material created by weaving an interlocking network of yarns or threads from raw fibres spun into long, twisted lengths.
The names of different textiles, such as muslin, chintz, calico, and bandanna, have a history:
i) Muslin - The fabric was named after five varieties of cotton textiles transported by Arab traders in Mosul by European traders. After it, all woven textiles were dubbed "muslin."
ii) Chintz — This name is derived from the Hindi word ‘Chhint,' which refers to a little piece of floral-patterned cloth.
iii) Calico – Calicut, on the Kerala coast in south-west India, was where the Portuguese first arrived in India in pursuit of spices. Calico was the name given to the cotton textiles they brought back to Europe, along with the spices.
iv) Bandanna - The word bandana comes from the Sanskrit word bandhana, which means "to tie anything." It now refers to brightly colored or printed scarves worn over the neck or head.

Note: Textiles made of cotton and silk were extremely popular in Europe. By far the most popular were Indian textiles, which were prized for their high quality and beautiful artistry. Various types of Indian textiles, such as chintz, cossaes or khassa, bandanna, and jamdani, were marketed in Western markets. In England and Europe, a love for printed Indian cotton textiles began in the 1680s.