Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Kambala (Blanket)� of the study on cosmetics, costumes and ornaments of ancient India based on Sanskrit sources. Chapter one deals with cosmetics and methods of enhancing beauty; Chapter two deals with costumes, garments and dresses; Chapter three deals with ornaments for humans and animals. Each chapter deals with their respective materials, types, preparation and trade, as prevalent in ancient Indian society.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
2.4. Kambala (Blanket)
Blankets were used even at an early period. We have reference to them in the ٳūٰ, Śrautasūtras, ʳܰṇa and in the epics. Usually blankets were of wool or hair of goat. They were printed and painted also.
ś[1] gives the name Rallaka for blankets. Ā貹ٲ-ūٰ[2] insists on wearing woollen blankets by ٲ첹 of all castes. In ܻⲹԲ-ūٰ[3], a blanket made of the hair of mountain goat is termed as Kutapa. In ʳܰṇa[4], we have reference to fine Nepal blankets. Citrarallaka, mentioned in 첹Ի岹ܰṇa[5] indicates the printed or painted blankets. 첹ṇḍⲹܰṇa[6] mentions Kambala as a gift article. In ī쾱-峾ⲹṇa[7] also we read of Kekayarāja presenting coloured blankets to Bharata along with other gift articles. Ladies of harem usually wore a fine variety of thin blankets. The expression [...] in Ѳٲ[8], indicates soft and thin blankets worn.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
2.6.116
[2]:
I.1.3.8
[3]:
I.5.8.34
[4]:
첹Ի岹ܰṇa, 5.3.90; 첹ṇḍⲹܰṇa, 22.86
[5]:
4.1, 3.13
[6]:
265.18
[7]:
II.76.20
[8]:
EI, p.236