Kala Cotton of Kachchh is the original pure Old World cotton of India
Evidence for the existence of Kala Cotton seems to date back to 2700-3000 BC, where a similar plant was discovered at an archaeological site in Mohenjo-Daro. During the colonial period, the demand for and cultivation of Kala cotton decreased, leading to a decline in its use to this day. During the 1990s and 2000s, weavers in Kutch made their living selling Kala cotton; on the other hand, only 600 to 700 people are currently practicing this art. Although now, Kala cotton yarn has been restructured and has the potential to become a sustainable alternative fabric in the fashion industry.
Kala cotton, which is in the process of trademarking, is an energy-efficient and carbon-free crop. Tough and resilient even in harsh climatic conditions, it is completely rain-tolerant and grows naturally even in the arid and drought-stricken areas of Kutch, where rainfall is less than 40 cm.
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