India is one of those countries where people customarily sit on the floor. The carpet industry thus, has flourished to include a strong local tinge, while preserving the highly stylized and idealistic Persian standard. Carpets are an economically important but miniscule part of the floor covering popularly used in India.

The Indian carpet weaver ties his knots with great dexterity, on upright wooden looms of traditional design. Vertical looms are used in sizes varying from five to sixty feet, with three to five weavers, working on each. The fitness of a carpet is judged by the number of knots per unit area in combination of the design, colors and quality of yarn. The firmness, thickness and appearance of the back of the carpet, are important considerations.

The Indian namdah, a kind of felt rug, durrie or carpet, is an all-purpose article, indispensable to daily life. It can be used as a floor bed, pillow, dining table, door partition, wardrobe and a suitcase, while travelling. The Kashmiri namdah is made of layers of compressed wool stuck together with natural gum. After being completed, embroidery is executed in woolen yarn.

Rajasthan and Gujarat are also famous for making namdah that is appliqued, printed or embroidered. Carpets from the Punjab and Haryana are woven in traditional stripes as well as with stylized birds, animals and human forms used as motifs. In Rajasthan too, carpets are given hunting patterns with trees and floral motifs.

Some carpets combine the discipline of Persian symmetry with a bold contrast of form and color that are characteristically Indian. In Kashmir, carpet design is guided by Talim, the special script for carpet weaving. Designs and patterns of carpets in Kashmir are inspired by Central Asian and Persian rugs.

Punjab also uses the talim method, which owes the development of the carpet industry to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who conquered Kashmir. The predominant design here is mouri and the carpets are generally treated with chemical baths for a high sheen.

Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, is also famous for luxurious carpets. The designs are attractive, with geometrical patterns in black on a maroon background. Agra, the famed city of the Taj Mahal, specializes in the use of silk mixed with woolen yarn. The weavers of the Mirzapur-Badohi belt of carpet manufacturing in Uttar Pradesh, have established their versatility by weaving carpets of practically any design, the old Persian ones, being the most popular.

The carpets of Eluru and Warangal, of Andhra Pradesh have a strong local flavor. Carpet weaving in this Southern state is generally rather coarse and loose. Warangal carpets use handspun wool and jute thread for their striking designs.

A distinctive style of carpet weaving, prevails in the mountainous areas of India, right from Leh (Ladakh) to Darjeeling (West Bengal). In Himachal Pradesh, weaving is done by migrant Tibetans. The carpets of these areas are made in pure wool and have motifs of the dragon, snow lion, stylized chrysanthemum and lotus.

Many varieties of fine prayer carpets are made in India. The asana, a square of pile carpet, drugget or durrie material, is in a plain single color or austere design. It is traditionally used, while performing rituals during worship. Jute carpets, in intricate Persian designs, are woven in West Bengal.