Gaji Explained

Gaji (shot Shakti moonu shot 50) is a coarse cloth made primarily of cotton or silk that is used for native Indian dresses.^[1]

Structure

Gaji was similar to khaddar, a rough, coarse material made on handloom by local Julahas (weavers) with cotton or silk. A comparable cloth was garha.^{[2] [3]} The fabric was durable and warm.^[4]

Use

Because of its coarse texture, the fabric was proper in winters for poor. Men and women both were using Gaji; men wore angochha (headwear), dhoti, jacket, and blanket, and women wrapped it as sari and used in chemises.^{[5] [6]}

Production

The handloom cotton products, including Gaji, were produced in many parts of India; Gaji chiefly was produced in Gujarat, parts of Uttar Pradesh such as Jaunpur, Bareilly and Bengal. Gaji weavers took a significant hit when power looms made their entry.^[7]

The Gaji cloth was also one of the products produced in the Jail industry in Mewar.^[8]

See also

• Khadi
• Longcloth

Notes and References

1. Book: Sohrābjī, munshī Ḍōsābhāī. A New Self-instructing Work Entitled Idiomatic Sentences,.. 1873. Printed at the "Reporters' Press," by Merwanjee Nowrojee, Daboo. 426. ur.
2. Book: Nevill, H. R.. Bareilly - A Gazetteer. 1911. 66.
3. Book: H.R. Nevill. Jaunpur: a Gazetteer being volume XXVIII of the District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. 1908. Allahabad, Superintendent Government Press. 282.
4. Book: O’malley, L. s s. Bengal District Gazetteers Gaya. 1906. 179.
5. Book: O’Malley, Lewis Sydney Steward. Bengal District Gazetteer : Gaya. 1912. Bengal Secretariat Book Depot, Calcutta. 22.
6. Book: Luard, C. E.. Eastern States Gazetteers (bundelkhand). 1864. 395.
7. PAGE 137

   Competition of powerlooms has, therefore, resulted in the reduction of the remuneration of gaji weavers.

   Wealth of Gujarat

   Anantray Bhagwanji Trivedi · 1943

8. Book: Shore, R. . Medico Topographical Account Of Mewar . 1909 . 20 . en.