Machine-Made Imports Threaten Kashmir’s Handmade Carpet Industry
Srinagar, Jul 21: Kashmir’s world-renowned handmade carpet industry is grappling with an existential crisis due to the unchecked influx of machine-made carpets from Turkey and Iran—many of which are being falsely sold as authentic Kashmiri products.
This malpractice is not only robbing thousands of artisans of their livelihoods but also eroding the identity of one of the region’s most iconic crafts.
Over the past few years, the market—both physical and digital—has seen a surge in factory-made carpets that are priced far below their handmade counterparts. Despite being mass-produced in hours, these carpets are misleadingly branded as “Kashmir Carpets,” creating an illusion of authenticity among unsuspecting buyers. The consequences are devastating for artisans, exporters, and the entire ecosystem that sustains Kashmir’s heritage craft.
“These Turkish and Iranian carpets are made in hours using machines. Our hand-knotted carpet takes months, sometimes a year. How can we compete with that?” asked Abdul Gani Mir, a 58-year-old master weaver from Budgam who has been working the loom for over four decades.
Shabir Ahmad, an artisan from downtown Srinagar, echoed the despair: “I grew up hearing that Kashmiri carpets are world-famous. Now, I sit idle for weeks because no one wants to buy what we make. My income has dropped to less than half of what it was five years ago. Sometimes I wonder if this art still has a place in today’s world.”
President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Javid Ahmad Tenga, said the situation threatens the very survival of the traditional carpet industry. “What we are witnessing is a form of cultural forgery. Machine-made carpets masquerading as Kashmiri handmade are not only ruining markets but also eroding trust—domestically and internationally,” he said.
“Buyers are being deceived. Artisans are losing work. Exporters are shrinking. The whole ecosystem is suffering.”
Tenga pointed out that carpet exports have nosedived from Rs 600 crore to just a few hundred crore rupees in 2024-25. “There must be separate labelling for handmade and machine-made carpets and all other handmade Kashmiri crafts. Without strict enforcement of GI tagging, legal safeguards, and consumer education, the damage will be irreversible.”
Calling for urgent measures, Sheikh Ashiq, Committee of Administration Member of the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), said the entire supply chain is at risk. “Machine-made carpets from Iran and Turkey are being passed off to consumers as handmade. It has destroyed the carpet trade. Exporters are not in a position to buy products, and as a result, they don’t place orders with artisans. The whole chain is broken.”
“It is ironic and criminal that a machine-made carpet is being sold in the name of handicrafts. They are free to sell it as an industrial product—but not under the banner of handmade. Strict action must be taken to safeguard the sector. There should be exemplary punishment for those involved in this malpractice to serve as a deterrent,” Ashiq said, urging the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, and Chief Secretary to intervene and issue stringent directives.
Farooq Ahmad Shah, General Secretary of the Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association, highlighted the socio-economic fallout: “Artisans are now working as labourers and daily wagers as they have no work at workplaces. Sadly, it is some Kashmiris themselves who are selling Turkish carpets as Kashmiri handmade, ruining the livelihood of thousands.”
A senior official from the Handicrafts Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that the malpractice is facilitated by internal actors. “We’ve caught individuals soaking off original labels from imported carpets and replacing them with fake Kashmiri tags. This is blatant fraud.”
Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, Mussarat Islam, said the department is actively cracking down on such violations. “We have a zero-tolerance policy against the sale of machine-made carpets in the name of Kashmiri handmade craft. Whenever a formal complaint is received, we act without delay,” he said.
Islam added that the Quality Control Division conducts regular surprise inspections, including one carried out today.
He also emphasised the importance of certification and traceability. “Consumers should insist on certified carpets bearing the official GI tag and QR code. We are enhancing these systems through our NABL-accredited IICT lab and the PTQCC to verify authenticity. We are committed to protecting the integrity of Kashmir’s craft.”
As lakhs of workers remain jobless and traditional looms lie silent, the future of Kashmir’s fabled carpet industry hangs by a thread—caught between the allure of cheap imports and the cost of preserving cultural heritage.
We have a zero-tolerance policy against the sale of machine-made carpets in the name of Kashmiri handmade craft. Whenever a formal complaint is received, we act without delay.
— Mussarat Islam, Director, Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir
