Bengaluru joins global network of silk cities

What is the News?

Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to become a member of the Global Silk City Network.

What is the Global Silk City Network?

Global Silk City Network helps artisans and craftsmen to exchange knowledge, build trade relations and understand various craftsmanship techniques.

Currently, ​​13 best silk-producing cities and nine countries are members of this network.

Why was Bengaluru included in the Global Silk City Network?

There are historical reasons why Bengaluru has been included in the Silky City Network. The International Sericultural Commission was held at Lyon in the 1950s and came to Bengaluru in 2013. 

Also, Bengaluru is the Silicon Valley of India and Lyon has a big cluster of innovation and IT.

Which other Indian Cities are in line to join the Global Silk City Network?

West Bengal’s Murshidabad district — known to produce fine silk over the past 300 years — may join the Global Silk City Network in future.

The history of silk weaving in Murshidabad goes back to the early eighteenth century during the Mughal rule, when the Nawab of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan, shifted his capital from Dhaka to a town on the east of the Bhagirathi river and named it Murshidabad.

Source: This post is based on the article “Bengaluru joins global network of silk cities” published in The Hindu on 11th April 2022.