The Journey of Indian Sericulture.

Sericulture in India had past dating back to several centuries prior to the commencement of the Christian era. It has been held that mulberry culture came from China to India around 140 B.C.
India is the only country that is home to four different silk varieties: Mulberry silk (Bombyx mori), Eri silk (Philosomia ricini), wild Tussar silk (Antheraea mylitta) and the exclusive wild golden Muga silk (Antheraea assama
Karnataka is a homeland of Mysore Silk and Sericulture has history of over 225 years. In 1785 Tippu Sultan established sericulture farms at Channapatana. Since its inception Channapatana silk farm is working on Silk seed breeding and breeding experiments.
In 1710, the East India Company introduced a new variety of mulberry silkworm in Bengal. This is the first record of research and development of sericulture in India. In 1769, the East India Company introduced a new improved method of silk reeling in Bengal. In 1771, the Bengal Government obtained new silkworm breeds and varieties of mulberry from China. In 1772, the first filature was established in Murshidabad of West Bengal by the British.
The Tiger of Mysore Tippu Sultan is the father of the Karnataka Silk industry. In 1785 he sent people to Bengal to learn sericulture and to establish the same in his Mysore Kingdom. 
In 1785 Tippu Sultan established sericulture farms in Channapatana. Since its inception Channapatana silk farm is working on Silk seed breeding and breeding experiments.
He wanted Mysore to be the foremost among silk producing nations”. The dream of this great ruler eventually came true. In 1860, the first filature was established in Bangalore by an Italian industrialist.
While most Indians have heard about Jamsetji’s efforts to give shape to these visionary ventures, few know that he was also responsible for reviving Karnataka’s silk industry. While Tipu Sultan had laid the foundations of the silk production in Mysore, the fledgling sericulture industry had declined after his death in 1799
In 1896, Sir J.N.Tata established a Silk Farm with a filature attached to it in the Japanese pattern, in Bangalore, with the help of Sri. K. Sheshadri Ayyar, the Diwan of Mysore. He was helped with technical expertise from a Japanese couple Mr and Mrs Odzou Mr. Odzu trained Sri. V.M.Appadhorai Mudaliar and Sri. Lutchman Rao for the period of one year in this farm.
After the demise Mr Tata his children asked the government to take over the farm which did not materialize.With the formation of Basavanagudi layout in Bangalore the farm was incorporated and the only thing that remains today is a signage that indicates the area as Tata Silk Farm colony.
Mysore Sericulture department was one of the oldest independent department to be established by British in 1914 with the following objectives:
1.To increase area under mulberry of high yielding variety.
2.To increase the leaf yield production and productivity.
3.To increase cocoon production qualitatively and quantitatively.
4.To produce international graded silk.
5.To improve the financial status of Sericulturist farmers.
Govt of India realised they ought have taken over the Tata Silk farm in its place it instituted the Central Silk Board.
The biggest impetus in recent years to the development of Indian sericulture was provided by the commencement of the five year 555 crore National Sericulture Project (NSP) initiated by the Central Silk Board for the development of mulberry-sericulture in the country.
Conclusion
Sericulture is one the most important of agriculture and industry sector. In the Karnataka state rural and semi- urban areas most of the people adopt sericulture. Sericulture helps to improve the manufacturing sector.
It creates a self employment in Karnataka. More than 60 percent of people engaged in own activities in sericulture. This is an important labour intensive activity and agro- based industry.
Compiled by
GaviRangappa S P.
Devanga's Vidhana.
Jai Devanga.

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