Snapshot

• Why Bhagalpur Silk is iconic: Bhagalpur, often called the “Silk City of India,” is globally renowned for its Tussar (Tasar) silk weaving tradition. With over 200 years of weaving history, Bhagalpuri silk is known for its natural golden sheen, rich texture, and durability, making it a favorite for luxury fashion, home décor, and eco-conscious buyers.
  
• Cluster identity: Bhagalpur has over 30,000 weavers across 200+ villages, specializing in Tussar silk, Matka silk, Eri silk, and blended fabrics. The cluster is a major exporter to Europe, Japan, and the US, supporting both traditional handloom and modernized weaving techniques.
  
• Cultural relevance: The craft evolved under Mughal patronage and British-era trade networks, establishing Bhagalpur as one of India’s largest handloom silk production hubs.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Sarees & Apparel	Bhagalpuri silk sarees, Tussar silk dupattas, scarves, kurtas, jackets, lehengas.
Fabrics & Yardage	Tussar, Eri, and Matka silk fabrics for couture designers and boutiques.
Blended Fabrics	Silk-cotton, silk-linen blends for luxury fashion.
Home Furnishings	Silk curtains, cushion covers, bedspreads, and wall panels.
Designer Collaborations	Hand-dyed, eco-printed, and textured silk yardage for high-end global labels.

Craft Technique

Step	Details
Silk Cultivation	Tussar silk is harvested from wild silkworms (Antheraea mylitta) raised in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha forests.
Spinning	Cocoon shells are boiled, softened, and reeled or hand-spun into yarn.
Weaving	Traditional pit looms and frame looms used to weave lightweight, textured fabrics.
Dyeing & Finishing	Vegetable dyes, tie-dye (Bandhani), block printing, and eco-print techniques widely used.
Signature Texture	Bhagalpuri silk is light, breathable, with a matte sheen—ideal for warm climates and sustainable fashion.

Materials & Sustainability

• Raw Material: Tussar silk cocoons (wild silk), Eri silk, and Matka silk sourced locally.
  
• Eco Advantage:
  
  • Tussar silk is non-mulberry and forest-grown, making it eco-friendly and low-resource intensive.
    
  • Entire process is handcrafted, biodegradable, and sustainable.
    
• Social Impact: Provides livelihoods to over 100,000 families, many of whom are tribal cocoon rearers and women artisans.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Geographical Spread: Bhagalpur, Nathnagar, Champanagar, and surrounding villages form the weaving belt.
  
• Key Organizations:
  
  • Bhagalpur Handloom Cluster Development Program under the Ministry of Textiles.
    
  • NGOs and cooperatives like Jharcraft (for cocoon rearing) support raw material supply.
    
  • Export support through EPCH and Silk Mark Organization of India.
    
• Tourism Link: Bhagalpur’s weaving workshops and sericulture farms attract textile buyers and researchers.
  

Compliance & Certifications

• Silk Mark: Certification by the Silk Mark Organization of India guarantees silk purity.
  
• Handloom Mark: Ensures products are genuinely handwoven.
  
• Eco Labeling: Many Bhagalpur exporters adopt AZO-free and GOTS-certified dyeing processes for EU/US markets.
  
• Cluster Recognition: Bhagalpur is a National Silk Cluster under India’s Textile Ministry.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Sarees & Dupattas	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	25–50 pcs/style
Yardage Fabric	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	100–200 meters/style
Home Furnishings	10–14 days	6–8 weeks	50–100 pcs/style
Designer Custom Orders	2–3 weeks	8–10 weeks	Made-to-order

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: Silk Mark, Handloom Mark, and QR-coded provenance cards.
  
• Packaging:
  
  • Sarees packed in acid-free tissue and muslin covers.
    
  • Yardage roll-packed with moisture-proof paper and recyclable cartons.
    
  • Premium boxes for designer collaborations.
    
• Luxury Positioning: Emphasis on forest-grown silk, artisanal craftsmanship, and eco-luxury storytelling.
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Fiber Testing: Yarn strength, micron level, and silk purity certification.
  
• Fabric Integrity: Uniform weaving, GSM consistency, and shrinkage checks.
  
• Dye Fastness: Wash, rub, and light exposure tests for global compliance.
  
• Finishing QC: Edge hemming, crease-free folding, and moisture barrier packaging.
  

Price Drivers

• Raw silk grade (Tussar, Eri, Matka).
  
• Handloom vs power loom weaving (authentic handwoven carries premium).
  
• Dyeing method (natural/vegetable dyeing costs more).
  
• Artisan pedigree and limited-edition collaborations.
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• “Silk City” legacy: Bhagalpur is one of India’s oldest silk weaving hubs with global reputation.
  
• Eco-luxury textile: Forest-grown Tussar silk appeals to sustainable fashion and luxury brands.
  
• Traceability: QR-coded silk supply chains ensure transparency for conscious buyers.
  
• Export Provenance: Bhagalpur silk is already a top export in Japan, Italy, and the US.