Chapter 22: Timeline

This timeline consolidates dated and approximately-dated milestones referenced throughout the book. Where sources describe an approximate era rather than an exact year, this is noted.

Period	Milestone
c. 6th–12th century CE (Chalukya period)	Traditionally cited origin period for Kasuti's development, with some sources placing early emergence around the 7th century in the Dharwad region; the connection is inferential, tied to the influence of temple architecture and courtly art on embroidered motifs.
c. 15th century	Some sources cite literary references suggestive of embroidered sari adornment in the region from this period, though these are secondary citations rather than primary texts examined in this book.
17th century (Mysore Kingdom)	Kasuti formalised as one of the traditional "64 arts" expected of women in the Mysore royal court.
19th–20th century	Continued domestic practice across north Karnataka and neighbouring Maharashtra towns (Dharwad, Belgaum, Bijapur, Hubballi, Miraj, Sangli, Jamkhandi); Kasuti remains closely tied to bridal (Chandrakali) and childbirth traditions; at this stage sources describe it as primarily a domestic handicraft rather than a formal cottage industry.
20th century (mid-to-late)	Documented decline as industrial textiles and machine embroidery become widespread and cheaper alternatives; a Hubli training centre established under the Department of Social Welfare to protect and spread the craft.
2005 / 2006	Geographical Indication (GI) registration process: application approved in 2005; certificate formally issued 30 January 2006, held by the Karnataka (State) Handicrafts Development Corporation.
2010 onward	Documented grassroots revival initiatives, including the Kaikrafts programme working with the IDF SHG Foundation to train and employ women artisans.
2010s–2020s	Increased visibility through contemporary fashion (including designer Gaurang Shah's collections), dedicated craft-heritage exhibitions such as "Pampa: Textiles of Karnataka," community-diversification initiatives such as Banjara Kasuti, growth of online marketplaces and virtual workshops, and applied research into jacquard/woven Kasuti-inspired motifs.
February 2023	A saree reported to carry Kasuti-style embroidery received wide media coverage after being worn at a Union Budget presentation — cited by craft commentators as a notable moment of mainstream visibility (see Chapter 17 for sourcing caveats).