Hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs. How India makes them.
Hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs are best sourced from Bhadohi–Mirzapur, Panipat, Srinagar and Agra, with Jaipur also a leading design and export centre. Indian weavers make wool, silk, cotton and jute rugs in knotted, tufted, flat-woven and dhurrie constructions.
- 6
- process steps
- 4
- mapped clusters
- 5701
- typical HS heading
- Clusters for this product
- Other clusters
How it is made, in 6 steps.
The sequence Indian factories follow, from raw material to an approved part ready to ship.
- Design & colour mapGraph or CAD design with colour references
- Yarn dyeingWool, silk or cotton yarn dyed in batches
- Knotting or tuftingHand knotting on vertical looms, or hand tufting with a tufting gun
- Washing or backingWashing for knotted rugs; latex and cloth backing for tufted rugs
- Clipping & finishingPile sheared, edges bound, fringes finished
- Inspection & packingSize, colour and pile checks; rolled and wrapped
What buyers plan around.
- Typical HS heading
- 5701 (knotted), 5702 (woven and flat-woven), 5703 (tufted)
Check 5701 in the HS code finder - Lead time
- Tufted: samples 3–4 weeks, production 8–12 weeks. Hand-knotted: samples 8–12 weeks, production 3–6 months
- India's edge
- India has one of the world's largest handmade carpet industries, with skilled weaving communities and strong design capability.
- Process families
The clusters that make it.
Listed in the order buyers usually start. Each page covers the nearest ports and neighbouring clusters.
Tests we plan for.
The checks that usually sit in the inspection plan for this product. We agree the final list with you against your drawing and market.
How our inspections work- Knot density or pile height check
- Colour fastness (water, rubbing)
- Size and squareness
- Backing adhesion for tufted rugs
- Flammability where required
Straight answers.
Anything else, ask us directly. A principal replies, not a bot.
anirudh@sourcesquid.coWhat is the difference between hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs?
Hand-knotted rugs are tied knot by knot and last for decades. Hand-tufted rugs are made faster with a tufting gun and a latex backing, so they cost less.
How can I make sure rugs are made responsibly?
Work with exporters who allow unannounced audits and hold independent social-labelling certification, and ask for a map of their loom network.
What is Bhadohi known for?
Bhadohi is India's carpet city, and Hand made Carpet of Bhadohi is GI-registered.
Get a free teardown for your hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs.
Send one drawing, photo or quote. Within 48 hours we return how it is made, the best-fit Indian clusters and a realistic target price.