In the production of cotton goods the trade of the native caste of weavers has suffered very much by the great importation of Manchester cottons, and by the establishment of monster cotton power-loom factories at Ahmedabad and elsewhere. Many natives of the weaver caste have been obliged to take to agricultural and other less lucrative pursuits, owing to the partial ruin of their trade by English competition. [Illustration: Fig. 261.—Kincob of Ahmedabad. (B.)] Cotton-printing is still, however, an important native industry, especially in the city of Lucknow, where the colouring and design are still superior to that of the English or French chintzes. Some of the best Indian, or rather Indo-Persian, ornament is found on the printed calico _palampores_, or bed-coverings, made at Masulipatam and other places. Calicoes woven in varying stripes of coloured threads, checks, and tartans of all hues, are among the specialities of Indian textiles, the material being used for trouserings, skirts, and petticoats. The once-famous Dacca muslins, that on account of their gossamer-like appearance have been known under the names of “evening dew” and “running water,” are now almost non-existent, a cheaper and coarser variety taking their place. Muslins from Dacca and other places embroidered with silk are still greatly used in India, and are largely exported to the surrounding Eastern countries, including Turkey and Egypt. Cotton fabrics interwoven with golden thread were formerly made in great quantities to meet the wants of the once-powerful native rulers and the Court retinues, but now, since the English rule in India, this kind of fabric with many others of a sumptuous nature are much less in demand. Printing patterns in gold and silver foil is a common method of decorating dark purple or deep green cottons; muslins are also stamped with patterns in gold. Fine gold and silver-gilt wire is used very much in India for lace-making, weaving, and embroidery. The natives excel all Europeans in the art of wire-drawing and in the making of gold and silver foil, tinsels, and spangles. These industries are carried on chiefly in the cities of Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Lahore. Silk manufacture is still a flourishing industry in many parts of India, but, on the other hand, in some places it has declined very much owing to European competition. The _tasar_ or _tusser_ silk is a native wild silk, from which a coarser variety of silk is now manufactured in increasing quantities, and is exported chiefly from Bengal. It is a useful material, but has not the brilliancy or sheen of the ordinary silk. Plain silk cloth is made in the Punjaub, and the damasked or figured variety is made chiefly at Bhawalpur. Cashmere has been famed for centuries past for its beautiful woollen shawls made from _pushm_, the wool of the Cashmere goat, and from camel’s hair wool; the woven material of the latter is known as “camlet.”