The southern most state of Tamil Nadu, one of the most industrially developed states in India, is also the stronghold of cotton textiles with a tradition that goes back 3000 years to the Chola kings. While they extended their influence all over South India up to distant Java and Sumatra, the textile tradition reached an acute level of refinement and sophistication.

It is said the Chola princes wore only cotton. The king's robe was of quilted cotton, with a garment worked with gold. Soldiers also used quilted cotton fabrics. One of the main textile centers of the Chola kingdom was Karur, according to legend believed to be the place where Brahma, the Creator began his work of creation. Karur today has an unbroken and living tradition of cotton weaving.