Handicrafts are the main source of livelihood for many artisans and most of these artisans either live or come from rural areas. India maintains a great craft tradition, known for great aesthetics and multifarious art history.

The intricate designs, patterns, painfully crafted monuments, temples and sculptures, all are magnificent masterpieces of craftsmanship. All Indian crafts and patterns were mostly depictions of every day living, socio-political conditions and palace and court scenes. Archaeological studies have revealed that the period of manufacture, for a given handicraft item can be deciphered from its production technique, patterns and materials used.

Indians Handicrafts history can be traced back to, as old as, the Stone Age. The art of spinning and weaving of cotton was known were known as far as 5000 years ago. Foundations of textiles in other countries date back to second century BC. Block print fabrics, mainly of Gujarat region, found in Egyptian tombs are a proof that India was producing enough cotton textiles to import them to other countries, in the medieval ages.

Even Vedas have references of artisans involved in pottery making, weaving, wood crafting etc. The Rig Veda, particularly establishes a variety of pottery made from clay, wood and metal. It also refers to weavers and weaving. Crafts history shows that Indian crafts flourished during the Mauryan Empire. Nearly 85,000 stupas were built in India, including the Sanchi stupa and various sculptures of Bharhut, Mathura, Amravati and Vaishali, During Ashoka's rule. Even the iron pillars of Vaishali and Delhi, were created in the same era. The Gupta Age, saw construction of rock cut temples of Ellora and Ajanta caves. Craftsmen under the royal patronage excelled in jewellery making, woodcarving, sculpture, stone carving and weaving. Maven Impex brings handicrafts made directly from such rich lineage craftsmen.