Museum
Calico Museum of Textiles
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
The Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, houses a historic collection of Indian fabrics and is managed by the Sarabhai Foundation.
Don't miss
- Court textiles used by Mughal and provincial rulers from the 15th to 19th centuries
- Regional embroideries, tie-dyed textiles, and religious textiles from the 19th century
- Ritual art and sculpture, temple hangings, miniature paintings, and South Indian bronzes
- Textile techniques galleries and a library
- Marble, sandstone, and bronze icons
- Furniture and crafts on display
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Calico Museum of Textiles
You can visit Calico Museum of Textiles on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAhmedabad Heritage Trail: A Journey Through Time4.4★ · 10 travelers6-9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$58 per personSee dates →
Best full dayWorld heritage Ahmedabad city tour in private car with guide and lunch5★ · 44 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$135 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- Trees around the museum complex protect textiles from dust, air pollution, and temperature fluctuations.
- Lights are dimmed between visiting hours to extend the life of the textiles.
- Relative humidity inside the museum is controlled to preserve the collection.
A bit of history
Founded in 1949 by siblings Gautam Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai, the museum was inspired by conversations with Ananda Coomaraswamy in the 1940s. Originally housed at the Calico Mills, it moved to the Sarabhai House in Shahibaug in 1983. Gira Sarabhai designed the building around a courtyard, incorporating traditional facades and carved wood elements from old Gujarati houses.
Common questions
What types of textiles are on display?
The collection includes court textiles from the 15th to 19th centuries, regional embroideries, tie-dyed textiles, and religious textiles.
Who founded the museum?
The museum was founded in 1949 by Gautam Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai.
Why was the museum moved from its original location?
The collection grew, so the museum was shifted to the Sarabhai House in Shahibaug in 1983.
What other items are exhibited besides textiles?
Galleries also feature ritual art, sculpture, temple hangings, miniature paintings, South Indian bronzes, Jain art, furniture, and crafts.
More attractions in Ahmedabad
