The Historical Evolution of Khadi

Abstract

The pre-indepence symbolism of khadi was firmly intertwined with home rule and self- sufficiency, or Swaraj and Swadeshi. This paper traces the evolution of Khadi from its ancient predecessors in the form of coarse hand spun cloth that existed in India during the Vedic periods and after to the Mughal era and thereafter during the British colonial period and post- independence. It examines the various factors that linked khadi to the freedom movement and Mahatma Gandhi and then the reasons for its decline in the post-independence era and then its present revival. For this purpose, an extensive review of literature and an interview with textile expert Sabita Radhakrishna was conducted. This paper will highlight the advantages of using khadi and the various impediments that the khadi sector faced to create awareness and boost sales of the fabric and the khadi readymade garment. It also examines the evolution of khadi from a “Freedom Fabric” to a “Fashionable Fabric” and why present-day designers are using khadi in their new collections and gives recommendations on how to create an awareness of khadi as the answer to sustainable fashion.