Fabrics: The textile industry is one of the main industries of India. Its silk, cotton and wool are among the best in the world. The silks of Kanchipuram, Varanasi (Benares), Mysore, Kashmir and Murshidabad are some of the varieties one would like to possess for a lifetime. South India manufactures 90% of Indian silk. World-class quality bristles can be purchased. Rajasthan cotton with its patterns resulting from the knot-tie-dye method is usually of vibrant colors, while Chennai cotton is known to cleanse in washing. Everywhere in India one can buy the himroo fabric, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns. Kashmir is famous for its beautiful woollens, especially for its shawls.
Carpet: India's carpet industry is among the largest in the world. Examples of its ancient and fine craftsmanship can be found in museums all over the world. Kashmir has a very long history of carpet making, influenced by the Persians. The carpets in wool and combed wool and silk are made here and can be bought at a good price. Carpets of Jaipur in Rajasthan and Bhadohi near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh are very famous carpet weaving and manufacturing centres.
Each region has its own specialty. For example, Darjeeling is known for its vibrant Tibetan carpets.
Clothing: The clothes are cheap and can be customized and quickly in some shops. You have a menu of varied and incomparable ranges: Silks, cotton, himroos, rags, chickens embroidered with gold or silver, encrusted with sequins and semi-precious stones.
Jewelery: Kundan style jewelry from Rajasthan is customary, massive and elaborate. Indian silverware is very famous. Gemstones can be purchased and assembled at will. Besides the diamond, lapis lazuli, Indian rubies, sapphires, moonstones and aquamarines are found. Hyderabad is one of the world centers of sale of pearls. Handmade precious jewelery from Tamil Nadu and Kerala are also important.
Crafts & Leather: Again, each region has its specialty. The range consists of exquisite bronzes, art boiler making often plated with silver and pottery. Paper mache is a typical Kashmir product, sometimes decorated with a gold leaf. Marble and alabaster inlay works such as chess boards and ornate plates are a specialty of Agra. Shoes, sandals and leather clothing are also available.
Woodworking: The works carved in Karnataka sandalwood, rosewood from Kerala and Chennai, Indian walnut from Kashmir, all precious objects of Indian art, will be excellent articles to be purchased.
Other purchases: Pickles, spices and Indian tea, perfumes, soaps, handmade paper, Orissa gaming cards, musical instruments are abundant in the market.
Note: It is forbidden to export antiques, art objects older than 100 years, animal skins or derivatives made of skin. In case you do not have time to visit a region, you can always buy the typical products of this region in the various state emporiums in New Delhi.