Which of the following was not a muslin producing centre of India?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
Lalitpur was not historically known as a major muslin producing centre in India. Lalitpur is a city in Uttar Pradesh, located in the Bundelkhand region, which was primarily recognized for its agriculture and mining activities, such as copper and silver during various historical periods. Muslin production—the weaving of finely-woven cotton fabric—was geographically concentrated in areas with specific climatic conditions, skilled artisans, and trade networks. These centers were largely situated in Bengal and parts of South India. Therefore, Lalitpur is the exception among the listed options.

The incorrect option is 1:
Sonargaon, located near Dhaka in present-day Bangladesh (historically part of Bengal), was one of the most celebrated centres for the production of the world-famous Dacca muslin. Its fine quality muslin was highly prized globally, making it a critical hub for this specific textile craft.

The incorrect option is 2:
Barbakabad, often mentioned in historical accounts related to the Bengal Sultanate, was another important area known for its textile production, including muslin. This region benefited from the flourishing textile industry of Bengal, which was the epicenter of muslin weaving.

The incorrect option is 3:
Calicut (Kozhikode) is a historically significant port city on the Malabar Coast of Kerala in South India. While Calicut is more globally famous for the cotton cloth known as "calico," it was also a prominent centre for various textile trades and a recognized production area for certain types of fine cotton fabrics, including lighter muslin variations, due to its central role in the Indian Ocean trade network.