In the village of Tangmarg, located in North Kashmir, around 60 artisans have crafted Asia’s largest handmade carpet, a massive 72 by 40 feet (2880 square feet) masterpiece. The project, started in 2016 in Wail Kralpora, Tangmarg, faced delays due to unfavorable circumstances. Currently, 70% of the work is complete, and the carpet, valued at crores of rupees, is expected to be exported abroad.
Fayaz Ahmad Shah, a businessman from Srinagar with decades of experience in the carpet industry, shared insights into this monumental achievement. “We are manufacturing Asia’s largest carpet, measuring 72 feet by 40 feet. The world’s largest carpet, at 400 square meters, was made in Iran. Ours has 30 notches, while the Iranian one has 17,” Shah explained.
Shah, who runs Shah Qadir and Sons, comes from a family with roots in Kashmir’s traditional Pashmina trade. However, he gravitated toward the carpet industry. “Kashmir has never produced a carpet of this size before. It was a challenge, and while the initial contract was for seven years, we aimed to finish within three by working tirelessly.”
The project involved around 25 laborers working day and night over the past two months to complete this ambitious carpet. Once finished, the carpet will be handed over to an Indian agent for its final destination, although Shah and his team won’t be involved beyond this stage.
Shah believes that the craftsmanship of Kashmiri carpets, known worldwide for their intricate design and quality, remains in high demand internationally. He emphasizes that the key to success is working with honesty and dedication. Despite the increasing industrialization, Kashmiri artisans secured this significant order from a foreign buyer, highlighting their global potential.
Shah sees an opportunity for Kashmiri artisans to compete with countries like Iran and Afghanistan in the international carpet market. However, he urges the government to support the industry, which provides livelihoods for many people, particularly in remote areas.
The carpet project was carefully supervised by two expert brothers, Habibullah and Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, who have over 45 years of experience in the trade. They ensured the work continued even during challenging times. Shah also called on the government to step in and revive the Kashmir Arts Emporium, which used to offer fair rates for carpets but has now become defunct.
One artisan involved in the project noted that despite the government’s neglect of the industry, it remains a profitable venture in Kashmir. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary halt in production, but demand for Kashmiri handicrafts, including carpets, persists in markets across the Middle East, Gulf, and Europe.
The team of artisans, led by Habibullah Sheikh, began the project in 2015 after a Srinagar-based company approached them for this special order. With about 25 workers, they finally completed the carpet after years of effort. Another major project, expected to take two years, is already underway.
The artisans involved in this project are proud of their accomplishment and hope it will improve their lives. They are optimistic that the government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, will offer support to this crucial industry.
Despite the challenges, this monumental carpet offers a chance for Kashmiri traders to break into the Gulf markets, which are typically dominated by Iranian carpets.
According to the Guinness World Records, the world’s largest hand-woven carpet, measuring 5,630 m² (60,600.81 ft²), was made by the Iran Carpet Company for the Abu Dhabi mosque in 2007. Although hand-knotted carpets are produced in several countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, the Kashmiri carpet industry, which employs around 300,000 people, continues to struggle. This latest achievement could help reinvigorate the region’s rich tradition of craftsmanship.
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