Malegaon: Weaving History and a Riverside Fort

Malegaon’s history unfolds from two distinctive perspectives: weaving and a fort on the riverbank. Its textile history includes colourful saris, power looms and the names of well-known weavers; the Gujari brings the daily trade of sari weavers to life. The fort tells a different story. These themes can help you decide which aspect of the city’s history you want to shape your trip before you look for a holiday rental.

Weaving and Colourful Saris

Between 1937 and 1944/45, around 1,500 power looms were established in Malegaon. Colourful saris were produced on these looms during the same period. The figure is approximate and relates to this specific historical period. This account connects a period of production with a particular product: if you want to explore Malegaon’s textile history, the focus is not only on the looms but also on the saris.

Among Malegaon’s well-known weavers were Bhagchand Dagdusa, Motilal Virchand and Shivratan Jaju, who had been known there for many decades. Their names add specific people to the history of the machines and saris. In this way, the story of weaving encompasses its products and tools as well as named, well-known weavers.

The Historic Gujari

Another textile connection leads to the Gujari. That was the name given at the time to Malegaon’s daily trade among sari weavers. The historic Gujari filled the Shimpati area every day at 3 p.m. Unlike power-loom production, this account focuses on trade, a specific location and a specific time of day. The Gujari and the looms thus represent two different aspects of the textile history of the time.

The Riverside Fort

Malegaon’s riverside fort opens a chapter of its own. Naroshankar had it built in 1740. In 1818, the British captured it after defeating the second Bajirao and established a military base there. Its construction and capture mark two dated milestones; its subsequent military use is also part of this history. In contrast to weaving, the focus here shifts from production and trade to a building with a military past.

Two Historical Periods

The events can also be distinguished by period: the fort was built in 1740 and captured in 1818. The power looms, by contrast, date from 1937 to 1944/45. Thus, the history of a fort and a much later history of weaving sit side by side. For anyone who wants to get to know Malegaon through its past, this contrast in timing offers a clear thread to follow.

Choose Malegaon as Your Destination

If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Malegaon, these themes can offer a starting point: the textile history takes you through looms, saris, weavers and the Gujari; the fort adds a story of construction and military use. This can help you decide whether your trip will focus mainly on the history of weaving or encompass several different chapters of the city’s history.

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Go to the main travel overview: Nashik.