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Rediscovering India’s Forgotten Legacy: The Ancient Silk Route That Rivalled the Silk Road
The Silk Road has grabbed the imagination of the entire globe with its romanticised images of caravans travelling across faraway locations while carrying silk and spices. However, there was once a lesser-known but no less valuable trading route that rivalled the Silk Road in antiquity: the ancient Silk Route of India. This historical marvel, which has only lately been found through archaeological study and scientific digs, casts doubt on conventional wisdom and reveals India’s crucial role in East-West trade for centuries.
The history of the Silk Road is widely known, but the ancient Silk Route of India, which dates to the classical era, was a crucial route for East-West trade. This trade route, which spanned seven important Indian states—Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and the modern-day Uttarakhand—enabled the exchange of precious commodities like silk, spices, gemstones, and other opulent goods that were highly prized in earlier times.
Renowned historian William Dalrymple challenges the notion of the Silk Road’s antiquity and contends that, historically, the principal East-West trade route involved India rather than China. During the classical period, the Red Sea served as the primary conduit for this trade, enabling India to export its fine goods to distant lands.
This claim is supported by historical evidence. Roman geographer and economist Pliny recorded the significant flow of gold to India from the Roman realm as a result of widespread Indian exports. Roman women prized Indian silk, precious stones, and other exotic commodities.
Trade imbalances heavily favoured India during ancient times. Indian wine, olive oil, and the well-known fish sauce Garum were eagerly sought after by Romans, but India also exported precious goods like ivory, spices, and jewels. Surprisingly, India has uncovered more Roman coins than any other nation except Italy.
So, why isn’t India’s ancient Silk Route as renowned as its Silk Road counterpart? Several factors have contributed to its relative obscurity, including limited comprehensive data analysis, the limited dissemination of Indian scholarly writings, and emerging evidence from recent archaeological excavations.
Extensive research into ancient trade has been done at sites like Muziris in Kerala and Arikamedu outside of Pondicherry. Ancient trade connections were highlighted by the discovery of a Buddha’s head and early representations of Hindu gods during the excavation at the ancient Egyptian seaport of Berenike. An essential piece of proof is the historical record known as the Muziris Papyrus, which was found in Egypt. It includes information from a shipping invoice for a deal between an Egyptian ship owner and a vendor from Kerala. The document offers specifics on the contents of containers, insurance information, and legal stipulations, all of which point to a sizable amount of trade.
William Dalrymple thinks that the Muziris Papyrus and other archaeological discoveries may indicate that the ancient Silk Route of India had a greater impact on classical times than the Silk Road itself. For nearly a thousand years, from the first century BCE to the 11th and 12th centuries CE, India was able to export not just goods but also ideas and knowledge.
The introduction of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) coincides with the rise in interest in India’s ancient Silk Route. This modern-day plan, which could compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aims to link India with the Gulf and Europe. The IMEEC, which consists of the eastern and northern trade corridors, intends to promote connectivity and trade between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe while reviving India’s status as a global trading powerhouse.
India’s ancient Silk Route, once overshadowed by the Silk Road, is now reemerging as a crucial chapter in world history. This ancient trading network not only benefited India but also promoted cross-cultural interaction, highlighting the country’s continuing heritage as a hub for trade, ideas, and innovation. The IMEEC honours India’s ancient Silk Route, a gem that has been lost but is now again taking the front stage as it opens the way for contemporary commercial ties.
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Sarah Burton has officially redefined Givenchy. In her Fall 2025 debut at Paris Fashion Week, the former Alexander McQueen creative director brought a feminine perspective to the legendary house, embracing strength, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence. This moment felt significant—not only because of Burton’s storied past but also because so few women currently helm major luxury brands.
A Tribute to Givenchy’s Heritage
Burton’s inspiration came from Hubert de Givenchy’s 1952 debut collection, known for its clean, graphic silhouettes. A recent discovery of the maison’s archival calico patterns further fueled her vision, leading to designs that balanced wearable ease with dramatic, couture-like elements.
The show opened with a black fishnet catsuit, a bold reset before transitioning into the essence of Burton’s Givenchy—a collection that honored the past while embracing modern femininity.
Key Looks & Defining Elements
Oversized Suits with Cinched Waists → A powerful balance of structure and fluidity.
Sleeveless Dresses with Ruffled Hemlines → Adding movement and drama to everyday elegance.
Cocoon-Like Coats & Jackets → Featuring rounded, puffed-up shoulders, nodding to Givenchy’s classic volume play.
Body-Diverse Runway Casting → One of the few Paris shows this season to feature a range of body types, reinforcing Burton’s commitment to dressing real women.
A New Vision for Modern Women
Burton’s Givenchy is about more than just clothes—it’s about how women want to feel: powerful, sexy, vulnerable, and strong, all at once. Her debut collection wasn’t just a runway success—it was a statement on the future of fashion, where femininity is both celebrated and redefined.
For Fall 2025, Nicolas Ghesquière took Louis Vuitton on a journey—literally. His latest collection transported attendees to a train platform, drawing inspiration from cinematic railway moments like Casablanca, Brief Encounter, Snowpiercer, and 2046. The setting? The soon-to-reopen L’Étoile du Nord train station near Gare du Nord in Paris, reinforcing the romanticism of travel through fashion.
A Vision of Travelers Through Time
The collection imagined travelers from different eras, dressed in Ghesquière’s futuristic Vuitton aesthetic. Some looked like commuters, others like luxury vacationers boarding the Orient Express, decked out in elegant outerwear and opulent layers. The result was a mix of wearable technical pieces and high-fashion statements, all rich in detail and storytelling.
Key Looks and Standout Pieces
Wearable, Technical Outerwear → Practical yet stylish, featuring subtle Vuitton branding.
A Voluminous Bordeaux Red Tulle Skirt → Paired with an ’80s-style leather belt and a pale blue LV checked ukulele case.
Black Robe with Ostrich Feathers → Dramatic and timeless.
Layered Floral Gowns → Adorned with crystals and velvet dévoré, evoking a sense of luxurious nostalgia.
Mona Tougaard’s Deep Forest Green Dress → Featuring black lace detailing, perfect for the red carpet.
Knitwear with Exaggerated Shoulders → A futuristic take on classic structured silhouettes.
Oversized Suede Hiking Jackets → Blending practicality with high fashion.
Kraftwerk x Louis Vuitton Collaboration → A special capsule collection themed “Trans-Europe Express”, featuring bags and apparel designed with the German electronic music pioneers.
An Intoxicating, Transportive Collection
With cinematic drama, luxurious craftsmanship, and a celebration of travel, Louis Vuitton Fall 2025 proved to be a masterful fusion of nostalgia, futurism, and wearable luxury. The collection wasn’t just about clothes—it was about storytelling, transforming the runway into a voyage through time and style.
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