A carpet

This carpet with floral patterns was manufactured at the Yerawada jail in Pune where the prison inmates were taught different handicrafts. It is a copy of an old carpet discovered in Asar Mahal, Bijapur. Dating from the reign of Ibrahim Adilshah II between 1580 and 1626, the original carpet was made in Kashmir. The Yerawada jail carpet that hangs with pride in the Museum's central staircase was recently restored. The carpet had an enormous hole in the centre and the edges were frayed and distorted. It was in such a bad condition that a former curator considered deaccessioning the carpet. Skilled craftsmen from Kashmir worked with amazing care, for six months, to bring the carpet back to life. Special yarn dyed and spun in Iran was used to match the original yarn in the carpet.