Machilipatnam

Machilipatnam is a city in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Often called as also known as Masulipatnam and Bandar, Machilipatnam is best known for its Kalamkari handloom industry which is also called Machilipatnam Kalamkari.This handloom is also exported to the United States and other Asian Countries. Another specialty of Machilipatnam is a sweet which is produced here called Bandar Laddu (Thokkudu Laddu). The Bandar Laddu is made with gram flour, ghee, sugar, and jaggery. Machilipatnamis also the Mandal headquarters of Machilipatnam Mandal in the Machilipatnam revenue division of the district.

History of Machilipatnam

Machilipatnam existed since the 3rd century BCE around the Satavahana period.Acceded to Ptolemy, back at that time the town was known as Maisolos.Machilipatnam stands out under the rule of the Qutb Shahi kings. The town was the primary seaport for their authority, Golkonda Kingdom. It was afactory for textiles produced in the Godavari Basin. It was considered as a major source of income for the kingdom and contributed to its enormous success in the 1620s and 1630s. Machilipatnam was once the ancient port town that used to be the settlement of European traders from the 16th century. It was also a major trading port in the 17th Century for the Portuguese, British, Dutch, and French. At the end of the 17th century, the port city had fallen into a downslide.

Machilipatnam Kalamkari

Machilipatnam is famous for its Machilipatnam Kalamkari or Kalamkari Handloom textiles which areexported to the United States and other Asian countries. Machilipatnam Kalamkari or Kalamkari Handloom is a handcrafted painting done in fabric byvegetable-dyed block-painting. The handicraft is done in a town of Machilipatnam called Pedana. Presently Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti styles are the only existing Kalamkari style works in India