Overview

A Brief History of Daulatabad Beshir Rugs & Carpets

Daulatabad is the name of a town in northern Afghanistan. This town is known for producing a huge range of rug designs in traditional Turkoman patterns. These rugs come in a variety of names and are often made as prayer rugs. Currently, the only design in large-scale production there is called Daulatabad, named after the town itself. This design is made by Turkoman and Uzbeki tribesmen. The term Beshir refers specifically to the Turkoman tribe from which the carpets are made. The Beshir tribe belong to one of several subdivisions of the Ersari group of Turkoman people. The Ersari group today stands as one of the major tribes of the Turkoman people of Central Asia and one of the five major tribes of the country of Turkmenistan. They live mainly in present day Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Daulatabad Beshir rugs feature a design of large octagonal guls accompanied by stylized flowers and multiple borders. These rugs come in one of two colors: either a vivid red or a lighter blue shade then the traditional Daulatabad rug that comes in deep red, deep blue or rich brown. The Beshir tribe produces rugs that are less sober in color then their counterpart. Their colors are more vivid and happier which yield a more high contrast look that is in higher demand by newer generations of interior decorators and home owners.

Their dyes are created using natural materials, such as madder root, indigo, and walnut husks. This provide each piece with a beautiful, lasting colour that grows more appealing with age. Their pile is made from high-quality wool sourced from local Afghan sheep. The wool is hand-spun, adding a distinctive texture, natural sheen and character to each rug. These rugs are hand-knotted with traditional Turkish knots also known as Ghiordès knots. This type of knot is known for its strength and durability. It also allows for intricate patterns and designs to be created with a high level of detail.

It is the image of these types of rugs that popularly come to mind by a Westerner when thinking of an “Afghan carpet.” This type of afghan carpet is regarded by western decorators as being easy to integrate in modern and traditional interior spaces.

Sources and inspiration: Bérinstain, Valérie, et al. L'art du tapis dans le monde (The art of carpets in the world). Paris: Mengès, 1996. Print.; Jerrehian Jr., Aram K.A. Oriental Rug Primer. Philadelphia: Running Press, 1980. Print.; Herbert, Janice Summers. Oriental Rugs, New York: Macmillan, 1982. Print.; Hackmack, Adolf. Chinese Carpets and Rugs, Rutland and Tokyo: Tuttle, 1980. Print. ; De Moubray, Amicia, and David Black. Carpets for the home, London: Laurence King Publishing, 1999. Print.; Jacobsen, Charles. Oriental Rugs A Complete Guide, Rutland and Tokyo: Tuttle, 1962. Print.; Bashir, S. (n.d.). Personal interview.; Web site sources and dates of consultation vary (to be confirmed). Without prejudice to official usage.