Embroidery, the art of working raised designs in threads of silk, cotton, gold or silver upon the surface of woven cloth with the help of a needle, has been known in India from very early times. Embroidery has a rich tradition in India dating back to prehistoric times.

Evidence is available that India is its original home. Therefore, it will not be improper to say that embroidery is as old as the civilisation of india. The bronze needles excavated at Mohenjo-daro were most probably used for embroideries. A number of figurines found at this and other Indus Valley sites are draped in embroidered garments.

The Vedas contain numerous reference to needlework, in vedic literature, embroidered garments are termed as ‘Pesas’ and ‘Pesaskari’ means a women embroider. A hymn of Rigveda, reads: “With never breaking needle may she sew her work and give herself a hero son most wealthy and meet for praise”. These lines not only shed light on the important place of needlework in ancient Hindu society but also reveal the importance of needle work as a symbol of unity and strength. Thus, ‘needlework’ was used for joining and for strength and when these led to a perception of its ornamental possibilities, the beautiful art of embroidery came into existence.