Perfumed textiles have been a part of India's rich cultural heritage for centuries. The tradition of infusing fabrics with fragrances dates back to ancient times, when royalty and nobility used scented garments as a sign of luxury, spirituality, and status.

History & Tradition

1. Mughal Era Influence – The Mughals played a significant role in popularizing perfumed textiles. Emperor Akbar is said to have had his garments scented with attars (natural perfumes) like rose, jasmine, and sandalwood.
2. Ayurvedic Practices – Ancient Indian texts mention the use of fragrant herbs and oils in clothing to promote well-being.
3. Temple Traditions – In South India, silk sarees offered to deities are sometimes perfumed with sandalwood and rose water.

Techniques of Infusing Fragrance

1. Attar Infusion – Traditional attars (concentrated natural perfumes) are applied to textiles through steaming or immersion.
2. Dipping in Perfumed Water – Fabrics are soaked in fragrant herbal water before drying.
3. Micro-Encapsulation Technology – Modern methods use microcapsules that slowly release fragrance over time.
4. Natural Dyeing with Aromatic Ingredients – Some fabrics are dyed using sandalwood, saffron, or vetiver, which impart a natural scent.

Popular Perfumed Fabrics in India

1. Kannauj Perfumed Muslin – The city of Kannauj (known as India’s perfume capital) has revived the ancient technique of infusing muslin with natural attars.
2. Sandalwood-Scented Silk – Popular in South India, particularly in Karnataka.
3. Jasmine-Scented Sarees – Some handloom sarees are lightly infused with floral fragrances.
4. Vetiver & Rose-Infused Fabrics – Used for both garments and home textiles.

Modern Innovations

With increasing interest in sustainable and luxury textiles, Indian brands and designers are now experimenting with long-lasting, eco-friendly scented fabrics. Some companies are developing organic perfumes for textiles without synthetic chemicals.