Introduction: From Quiet Foundations to Global Prominence Although Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG) industry had its quiet beginnings prior to the 1980s (as discussed in our previous article), the decades that followed witnessed a striking metamorphosis. From a nation grappling with industrial identity and economic constraints, Bangladesh emerged as the second-largest exporter of RMG products in…

A Forgotten Chapter in Bangladesh’s Textile Story When people hear “Bangladesh” and “textile industry”, they immediately think of the country’s globally dominant ready-made garment (RMG) sector — the second-largest in the world after China. But few pause to ask: How did we get here? Before the factories, the billions in exports, and the massive female…

Bengal Before the British Before the British Empire cast its vast economic and political shadow over the Indian subcontinent, Bengal was one of the richest, most prosperous, and culturally vibrant regions in the world. Its identity was inseparable from its exquisite textile industry — famed especially for the legendary muslin and silk fabrics. The production…

Bengal’s textile industry flourished spectacularly during the Mughal period, roughly spanning the 16th to 18th centuries. This era marked a golden age of craftsmanship, innovation, and global trade that positioned Bengal as one of the world’s leading producers of fine fabrics. The region’s exquisite muslin, jamdani, silk brocades, and cotton textiles became symbols of luxury…

Long before Bangladesh became the global powerhouse of ready-made garment exports, the region that was once known as Bengal stood proudly as a cradle of textile craftsmanship and cultural artistry. The textile story of Bengal dates back to ancient times—well before colonial rule, factory machines, or global fashion trends. It was a time when every…