Meenakshi Sharma
Gujarat, Oct 26: In recent times, Gujarat has established a fascinating identity worldwide, not just industry-wise but also culturally and traditionally. The state has outshined in both arenas. Gujarat boasts a flourishing textile industry, which contributes significantly to the country’s textile economy. To keep this industry vibrant and growing, the Gujarat government recently introduced the Textile Policy 2024 to streamline the sector’s economics across the entire value chain.
This policy aims to bring even more prosperity to Gujarat’s textile industry, while also generating employment. An estimated 5 lakh people will gain direct and indirect employment under this policy.
A key feature of the policy is payroll assistance. Textile enterprises that hire local workers will receive financial support for wage payments, particularly in the early years of operation. The policy offers monthly payroll assistance of ₹2,000–₹3,000 for male workers and ₹3,000–₹5,000 for female workers. In addition, it provides training support of ₹5,000 per month for three months. Labour-intensive units employing over 4,000 workers, including at least 1,000 female employees, will receive enhanced subsidies.
The policy has more to offer for the state’s textile industry. One of the most important raw materials in this sector is cotton. Thanks to Gujarat’s strategic geography and black soil, the state is a leading producer of cotton, accounting for around 33% of India’s cotton production. Additionally, Gujarat alone produces 60–70% of the country’s denim fabric, ranking first in India and third in the world. The state has a significant number of medium and large textile processing houses, producing 40% of India’s fabric from manmade fibers and 25% of the country’s technical textiles.
Gujarat’s textile industry produces a wide range of products, from cotton to silk to synthetic textiles. Traditional designs like Bandhani, Patola, Mashru, Ajrakh, and Lehariya originated in Gujarat. This diversity of textiles owes much to the people from different communities, castes, tribes, and regions, who have preserved age-old traditions.
Gujarat’s textile industry is the result of centuries of effort. The state’s textile history dates back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, particularly in the cities of Lothal and Dholavira, which were important trading centers. Excavations have revealed evidence of cotton cultivation and spinning, indicating that textiles were being produced in the region as early as 2500 BCE.
The textile industry in Gujarat has evolved over time from ancient cotton cultivation and handloom weaving to becoming a global leader in manufacturing. It has successfully transitioned through different phases—traditional craftsmanship, colonial mill industries, and modern textile production—while maintaining its cultural heritage.
During the medieval period, Gujarat became famous for producing fine cotton and silk textiles, particularly Muslin and Bandhani (tie-dye). Gujarati traders and weavers were highly skilled in producing intricate patterns, block prints, and dyeing techniques. The Sultanate of Gujarat (15th–16th centuries) saw a significant boom in the textile industry, largely due to the state’s strategic location along the Silk Road and its active ports, like Surat, which facilitated trade with the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Gujarat’s textile industry underwent significant changes during the British colonial era. In the 18th century, British industrialization introduced machine-made textiles, but it was the 19th century that saw the rise of the modern textile industry in Gujarat with the establishment of its first textile mills. Ahmedabad, often referred to as the “Manchester of the East,” became the heart of India’s textile industry. The Ahmedabad Spinning and Weaving Company, one of the first modern textile mills, was established in 1861 by Ranchhodlal Chhotalal.
By the early 20th century, Ahmedabad had over 60 textile mills contributing significantly to India’s textile production. After India’s independence in 1947, Gujarat’s textile industry continued to grow. The country’s demand for textiles surged due to economic reforms, and Gujarat’s mills flourished. Surat also saw rapid growth in the latter half of the 20th century, becoming one of India’s largest producers of synthetic and polyester fabrics, with the city emerging as a hub for textile processing, dyeing, and power looms.
Today, in the 21st century, Gujarat’s textile industry has modernized. Textile parks have been established, and advanced technologies adopted to meet the growing demand for quality fabrics both domestically and internationally. Cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara have seen investments in machinery and infrastructure, allowing Gujarat to remain a leader in textile production.
The new Textile Policy 2024 is set to boost the state’s textile industry by encouraging growth, modernization, and sustainability. The policy addresses key aspects, such as empowering women entrepreneurs, promoting MSMEs, and fostering green growth by reducing the carbon footprint of the industry.
Gujarat’s textile industry is renowned for its innovation and adaptability. With changing market demands and the need to stay competitive, manufacturers in Gujarat have quickly adopted new technologies and production methods. A large pool of skilled workers, particularly in areas like weaving, dyeing, printing, and embroidery, has helped maintain Gujarat’s dominance. These skills have been passed down through generations, making Gujarat one of India’s most skilled textile manufacturing regions.
The state has always benefited from favorable government policies. Previous initiatives, like the Gujarat Garment & Apparel Policy 2017 and Atmanirbhar Gujarat Scheme 2022, offered incentives and subsidies to manufacturers. The government has also established textile parks and clusters, providing infrastructure and support services that help manufacturers reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Gujarat’s rich textile heritage, coupled with modern innovations and the new Textile Policy 2024, is set to propel the industry to new heights. As Gujarat continues to lead in textile manufacturing, the state remains a beacon of tradition and progress, weaving a prosperous future for generations to come.
