Our Story

About Angika Silk

Documenting the 200-year silk heritage of Bhagalpur, Bihar

What is Angika Silk?

Angika Silk is the voice of Bhagalpur's extraordinary silk weaving tradition — one of the oldest and most celebrated textile heritages in India. We are a content and editorial platform based in Bhagalpur, Bihar, dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the stories of the craftspeople, the craft, and the culture behind India's finest handwoven silk.

The name "Angika" draws from two roots: Anga Pradesh — the ancient kingdom, referenced in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, that once covered today's Bhagalpur and surrounding regions — and the Angika language, spoken by 15–20 million people in eastern Bihar, whose cultural identity is deeply intertwined with the silk tradition.

Our mission is simple: every saree has a story. Every weaver has a name. Every thread carries centuries. We are here to tell those stories to the world.

Write to Us

"Bhagalpur's silk has been admired by emperors, traded on ancient silk routes, and worn by royalty. Today it drapes the shoulders of women from Mumbai to Manchester — and it still comes from the same looms, in the same lanes of Nathnagar."

— Angika Silk

Contact

Angika Silk

Bhagalpur, Bihar — 812001, India

namaste@angikasilk.com

The Four Silks of Bhagalpur

Tussar Silk

The signature of Bhagalpur. Produced from the wild Antheraea mylitta silkworm that feeds on Arjun and Asan trees. Naturally golden, textured, warm, and breathable. GI-tagged since 2013. The most iconic fabric from the Anga region.

Ghicha Silk

Produced from the broken or waste cocoons of the Tussar worm. Coarser in texture with a distinctive rustic feel. Highly sustainable — nothing is wasted. Prized for its organic, earthy character and affordability without compromise on authenticity.

Mulberry Silk

Premium, smooth silk from the Bombyx mori silkworm fed on cultivated mulberry leaves. Uniform threads, brilliant sheen, and vibrant colour uptake. Bhagalpur weavers blend this with Tussar to create fabrics that combine luxury with heritage.

Blended Silk

Innovative combinations of Tussar, Ghicha, Mulberry, and natural fibres like cotton. Created to serve modern fashion demands while retaining the handloom spirit. Matka, Katia, and Eri blends are popular across urban and international markets.

A Living History

Ancient
Bhagalpur, known as Champa in the Vedic period and the Kingdom of Anga in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, produces silk used in royal courts and traded on ancient routes reaching the Mediterranean.
Mughal
Emperor Akbar's reign brings documented patronage of Bhagalpur silk. The fabric symbolises royalty. European merchants visiting India in the 16th–17th centuries record four distinct varieties of Tussar fabric from this region.
1800s
The silk industry in Bhagalpur's Nathnagar neighbourhood grows into a major organised craft. Weaving families — primarily Tanti and Momin communities — pass skills across generations. The city earns its enduring title: Silk City of India.
1993
Dastkar provides financial backing to establish Berozgar Mahila Kalyan Sanstha (BMKS) in Godda, beginning a revival of Tussar weaving with employment programmes, design support and market linkages.
2013
The Government of India grants Bhagalpur Silk a Geographical Indication (GI) tag — a landmark legal protection ensuring only silk produced in the Bhagalpur region using traditional methods can carry the name. Over 35,000 weavers are employed across 25,000 looms.
Today
Bhagalpur silk reaches markets in the UK, USA, West Asia, Japan, and beyond. NRI buyers and global heritage-fashion consumers are rediscovering the authentic Tussar weave. Angika Silk documents this living tradition for the world.

Our Mission

We write for the curious reader — in India, in the diaspora, in the global fashion world — who wants to understand where their silk comes from. We believe that every buyer who understands the story behind a Bhagalpuri saree is one step closer to valuing it at the price it deserves, and ensuring the weaver who made it can sustain their craft for the next generation.

Write for Us

Are you a weaver, textile researcher, fashion writer, or someone with deep knowledge of the Anga region and its silk culture? We welcome guest contributors. Write to us at namaste@angikasilk.com with your idea and a brief introduction.