Calico Museum of Textiles

The Calico Museum of Textiles in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is one of India's premier textile museums, managed by the Sarabhai Foundation. Established in 1949 by industrialist Gautam Sarabhai and his sister Gira Sarabhai, it is housed in a carved wooden haveli within landscaped gardens. Renowned for its comprehensive collection of Indian textiles, costumes, and crafts spanning centuries, it showcases rare fabrics, block prints, embroideries, and religious textiles for visitors and researchers.

Visitors can expect a guided tour through heritage wooden havelis set in landscaped gardens, displaying extensive galleries of Indian textiles. The tour covers court textiles, double-ikat Patola sarees, bandhani, embroideries, carpets, and Pichhwai religious textiles, with explanations of techniques and history. The complex includes restored carved architecture, courtyards, and gardens. Entry is by prior appointment only with a single morning guided tour, offering a quiet, educational and curated experience focused on textile history and craftsmanship.

Founded in 1949 by industrialist Gautam Sarabhai and his sister Gira Sarabhai, with inspiration from Ananda Coomaraswamy, and inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru. Initially housed at Calico Mills, the collection was shifted in 1983 to The Retreat at Shahibaug, comprising restored historic wooden havelis. It was established to preserve and document India's textile heritage and remains managed by the Sarabhai Foundation.

The museum preserves and showcases India's diverse textile traditions including handloom weaving, block printing, tie-dye, embroidery and religious textiles. It documents regional crafts from Gujarat, Rajasthan and other states, and serves as a research and conservation centre for Indian costumes, fabrics and craft techniques, reflecting the cultural heritage of Indian textile arts.