Zardosi — the luxurious hand embroidery using gold and silver threads — was once the pride of Bhopal. Favored by Mughal emperors, royal brides, and foreign dignitaries, this intricate craft adorned brocade, tissue, and velvet with shimmering designs and semi-precious stones. At its peak, Bhopal was a hub for Zardosi purses and garments that were celebrated across India and beyond.
But with time, mass production, and a shrinking market, this timeless art form is now at risk of disappearing.
Today, Zardosi survives only through the determination of Muslim women living in some of Bhopal’s most gas-affected and underserved areas. Often confined to small, unventilated rooms and working up to 18 hours a day, these women carry forward a craft that the world once treasured — all while dealing with the long-term impact of industrial tragedy, poor health, and economic hardship.
Most cannot leave their homes due to cultural restrictions, making them reliant on middlemen and vulnerable to exploitation.
At Mahashakti Seva Kendra, we’ve made it our mission to restore dignity and opportunity to these artisans. Our all-women worksheds provide:
Everything is housed under one roof, empowering women to work with pride, creativity, and fair recognition.
What was once an imperial craft is now a symbol of survival and sisterhood.
By anchoring this dying art within a community-driven, women-led structure, Mahashakti ensures Zardosi continues — not as a relic of the past, but as a sustainable livelihood for the future. Every embroidered motif is a testament to the endurance, creativity, and silent strength of its maker.
