MUGHUL ERA HERITAGE: ZARDOZI WORK IN MULTAN

Abstract

Multan is famous for Zardozi work along with embroidery tradition not only in Pakistan but also abroad. There are many centers where women practice different stitches and styles of embroidery for getting a skill and also for earning. According to a study in1920, embroidery was declared as a popular pastime of usually the women living idle in household. Embroidery, now considered as an art, has been the work of people without employment. Women across the world have been embroidering different home based articles ranging from cushion covers, bed sheets, tea-cozies, wall hangings, arm chairs, garments and much more. In Pakistani culture women wear heavy zardozi embroidered dress on their wedding day and it takes months to prepare that dress. In the Mughul era, Zardozi work along with embroidery flourished and improvised on many levels. Mughuls, being famous for extravagance and being conscious of their appearance, had a very colorful and skillful wardrobe with all the embroidered items including gold thread embroidery called Zardozi.