A dwindling tradition revived by the REHWA Society, founded 35 years ago by Richard Shivajirao Holkar - the scion of Maheshwar's Holkar family to revitalize the weaving industry and improve the lives of the women weavers by providing them employment, housing, healthcare and education.

Today, over 1,500 looms are owned by villagers of the fortress town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh. The weavers continue to be predominantly women. In the inner courtyard of the Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar's qila or fort, under the old neem trees and in the airy rooms of the ancient Mughal style fort, the sound of the busy shuttles melts into the soothing breezes from the Narmada.

Image and text source-Rehwa Society