Patka (Waist Band)

Patka, a long decorative cloth tied elegantly several times round the waist is an essential part of the Mughal attire. The sash is tied is such a fashion that its decorative ends are displayed in the front. It had a functional use as well. It held a dagger, thrust into its folds at an easily manouverable angle.

The Ain-i-Akbari mentions that in Lahore alone there were more than a thousand workshops producing a kind of textile called mayan, consisting of silk and wool, which was used for turbans and patkas (waist bands). Woollen shawls and patkas were also articles of presentation during the Mughal period.

This patka has a plain field with six elaborately composed guldastta (flower bouquets) on both the ends while a floral creeper border runs along its two sides. Red, blue, yellow and green designs in wool emerge beautifully against the motia or pearl colour of the ground.