Explore the Textile Fabrics of India Archive

In 1866 the Secretary of State for India presented a set of 18 volumes containing 700 textile samples from different parts of India to Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institute. The samples were intended to show English manufacturers state-of-the-art styles, colours and techniques at a moment when textile production in England was booming.

Today, these volumes can be found at Heritage Quay, the Archive Service of the University of Huddersfield, and tell stories of empire, trade and the power and politics of design.

Join archive staff, Independent curator Uthra Rajgopal, and Avalon Fotheringham, Curator of South Asian Textiles at the V&A as we explore this remarkable collection.