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In the folds of history, the resilient shawlbafs of Kashmir have toiled and triumphed, weaving not only intricate shawls but also the very fabric of Kashmiri identity. This remarkable work, borne out of a tireless endeavour, sheds light on their untold tales of struggles and successes, of forrgotten heroines and unsung heroes whose contributions have been overlooked by apathetic historians.

Contents: Foreword, Preface, Acknowledgements, Abbreviations, Prologue of Power & Penury, 1. Origin: Birth of an Occupation: A Giant Leap Forward, 2. Growth: Flowering of the Vocation: Acme of Urbanisation, 3. Raw Material: Shawl-Pashm: Wool with a Difference, 4. Craft Technology: Shawl Making: A Difficult Weave, 5. Patterns: Shawl Designing: Spectacular Ornamentation, 6. Industrial Organization: Shawl-karkhanas: Avenues of Employment, 7. Commercial Organization: Shawl-Trade: A Lucrative Business, 8. Shawl Routes & Transport: Shawl Hauling: Dangerous Chopre, 9. Condition of Workmen: Shawl Workers: An Oppressed Lot, 10. Labour Tensions: Shawlbafs' Struggles: Untold Sacrifices, 11. Decline of the Trade: Shawl in Oblivion: A Phenomenal Loss, 12. Revival of the Craft: Revival of Shawl: A Knotty Task, 13. Epilogue, 14. Appendix, 15. Glossary, 16. Bibliography, 17. Index.