HISTORY OF CHIKANKARI

1-Originated in Lucknow.
2-Practiced in Bengal & Dacca and later
on brought to Lucknow and Delhi.
3-By Jasleen Dhameeja there are two stories are told by the
workers about the origin of Chikankari –
I-Faiz Khan who is one of the best craftsmen doing
chikankari practiced it for the last 200 years.
II-Chikankari was introduced into Lucknow only in the 19th
century through the court of Oudh.
“The princess embroidered a cap for the Nawab”work
with cotton thread on muslin cloth.
4-It is also possible that the craft originated in East Bengal.
5-It is also seen in:
Bhopal,Gaya,Calcutta,Allahabad and Varanasi but Lucknow
is great modern center where work of a quite remarkable
beauty and distinction is carried out.
6-According to “KamlaDevi Chattopadhyaya” this was
introduced by Nur Jahan and may have been inspired by
„Turkish embroidery‟.
7-The climatic condition of the Gangatic Valley & the mode of
dress are particularly suited to this style.
8-In older days men‟s & women‟s apparel & shawl were made
but now handkerchiefs,dinner mats,napkins,curtains,table
cloth,gent‟s kurtas,saris&dupattas are very popular.