Contents: Preface. 1. Indian costumes: an historical outline. 2. The catalogue: Men's garments: Jama, Angarakha, Chogha, Sherwani, Chapkan, Cope and Chasuble, Jacket, Kurta, Paijama. 3. Women's garments: Peshwaz, abho, Kurta, Jacket, Paijama, Choli, Kanjari, Ghaghra. 4. Miscellaneous. Appendix: Extract from Abu'l Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari. Supplement: Patterns and technical notes. Concordance. Glossary. Select bibliography. Index.

"This volume, the fifth in the series of Calico Museum catalogues which aims at covering the entire collection of the Museum, provides an histrocial outline of Indian costumes, and serves as a catalogue of all the stitched garments in this sumptuous collection. The men's garments range from jamas and angarakhas to choghas, sherwanis, sadris, kurtas and paijamas; among the women's garments covered in the catalogue are peshwazes, abhos, tilaks, cholis, kanjaris and ghaghras; also incuded is a large group of other garments like caps. The costumes date from the 17th to the 20th centuries, and include pieces of remarkable beauty. The book makes compelling reading. There could be few better ways than this of entering the rich and complex world of Indian life, design and materials.

"A unique feature of the book is its supplement on patterns and technical notes. In it representative objects have been technically analysed in detail, and paper-patterns of 68 costumes are included, making the work invaluable to designers and researchers." (jacket)

[B.N. Goswamy is Professor of History of Art at the Punjab University. His books include Painting at the Court of the Great Mughals and Pahari Painting : The Family as the Basis of Style.] No. 8359

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