Kashmir Pulse · Cultural Deep-Dive
Kashmiri Gabba: The Rug Made From Old Blankets in Anantnag
Quick Answer: A Kashmiri gabba is a hand-made floor rug from Anantnag, made by washing, dyeing and stitching together pieces of old woollen blankets, then decorating them with appliqué or aari chain-stitch embroidery. It is a thrifty, warm winter craft, older than many carpets, and today only a few families still make it.
Last updated: 12 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
In many Kashmiri homes, the first thing you step onto in winter is a gabba. It is thick, bright, a little uneven and very warm underfoot. The Kashmiri gabba was born from a simple idea: never throw away a good woollen blanket. Worn blankets were washed, dyed and stitched into new rugs, then covered in flowers and vines by hand. It is recycling, centuries before anyone used the word.
At a Glance
Where it is made: Anantnag district, with Kadipora and Sarnal the best-known craft areas
Getting there: Anantnag is on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam, about 55 km from Srinagar
Budget range: depends on size, embroidery and wool; buy from the maker where you can
Plan with locals: ViaKashmir.in craft visits
What is a Kashmiri gabba made of?
The base of a Kashmiri gabba is woollen blanket cloth, traditionally old hand-woven blankets called chader that had served a family for years. Craftspeople wash and mill the wool, dye it in strong colours, then cut and join the pieces. Decoration comes in two main styles:
- Appliqué gabba. Shapes cut from coloured blanket pieces are laid on a base and stitched down, building bold patterns of flowers and borders.
- Embroidered gabba. The design is worked in wool or cotton thread with an aari, the hooked needle that makes Kashmir's chain stitch. Our guide to aari, sozni and tilla embroidery explains the stitch.
Many gabbas combine both. The backing is usually plain cloth, and the finished rug is thick enough to keep the cold of a winter floor away.
Where did the Kashmiri gabba come from?
Anantnag, the town locals also call Islamabad, is the home of the craft. Artisans there date the embroidered gabba to the late 16th century, and local tradition credits a tailor with stitching the first one from old woollen pieces. Written proof of either is thin, so treat these as the craft's own story rather than settled history.
What is clear is that the gabba belonged to working homes. A family did not buy a new carpet every year; it turned its old blankets into a new floor. That thrift is why gabba patterns feel so personal: no two are cut from the same cloth.
Kashmiri gabba vs namda vs carpet: what is the difference?
| Gabba | Namda | Hand-knotted carpet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Old woollen blanket cloth, cut and stitched | Raw wool felted by pressing, not woven | Silk or wool knotted on a loom |
| Decoration | Appliqué and aari chain stitch | Chain-stitch embroidery | Pattern knotted into the pile |
| Feel | Thick, soft, slightly uneven | Light, felted, springy | Dense, flat, very durable |
| Where | Anantnag | Srinagar and around | Across the valley |
Our namda guide and our guide on how to buy an authentic Kashmiri carpet cover the other two crafts in detail.
Why is the gabba craft disappearing?
Reports from the valley describe a craft in decline. Demand has fallen, cheaper machine-made floor coverings copy gabba designs, and middlemen take much of the price, leaving little for the families who sew. Fewer young people learn it. Kadipora and Sarnal remain the stubborn heart of the work, but the number of active workshops has shrunk.
Buying direct is the most useful thing a visitor can do. A gabba bought from the people who stitched it keeps a household at the frame for another winter.
How to buy a real Kashmiri gabba
- Turn it over. Hand stitching shows on the back, slightly irregular; machine work is perfectly even.
- Feel the base. A real gabba is built on woollen blanket cloth, thick and soft, not thin felt or synthetic fabric.
- Ask where it was made. Anantnag makers will name their village and often their family.
- Check the colours. Rub a damp cloth on a corner; good dye should not bleed.
- Ship it, do not stuff it. A gabba folds bulky; reputable sellers will arrange shipping.
For Srinagar's craft markets, read our guide to shopping in Srinagar.
Visiting Anantnag for the craft
Anantnag sits on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam, so a craft stop fits naturally into a south Kashmir day. Our Srinagar to Pahalgam taxi can stop for an hour on the way, and our Kashmir packages that include Pahalgam can add it. For nights in the city, compare our verified hotels or a heated room on houseboats on Dal and Nigeen, and book local cabs for the day. Via Kashmir arranges the visit with makers we know, so you meet the family, not a showroom.
Frequently asked questions about the Kashmiri gabba
What is a gabba rug?
A gabba is a Kashmiri floor rug made from old woollen blankets that are washed, dyed, cut and stitched together, then decorated with appliqué or aari chain-stitch embroidery. It comes mainly from Anantnag district.
Where are Kashmiri gabbas made?
Mostly in Anantnag district in south Kashmir. Kadipora and Sarnal are the best-known craft areas, and Anantnag lies on the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam.
What is the difference between gabba and namda?
A gabba is built from woven woollen blanket cloth that is cut and stitched. A namda is made by felting raw wool under pressure, with no weaving at all. Both are embroidered with chain stitch.
How do I know a gabba is handmade?
Turn it over: hand stitching on the back is slightly irregular, while machine work is perfectly even. The base should be thick woollen cloth, and a genuine maker will tell you their village.
How do I clean a Kashmiri gabba?
Shake it out and air it in the sun regularly, and spot-clean gently with cold water. For a deep clean, use a rug cleaner who handles hand-made wool, as harsh washing can make dyes run.
Planning a trip to Kashmir? Via Kashmir offers custom itineraries, verified hotels, and local cab services, planned by people who live here.