Muga Silk: Assam Golden Treasure Gifted to Italian Prime Minister

The GI Tag and Legal Protection

Muga silk is protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999. This law prevents anyone outside Assam from calling their product “Muga silk.” The GI tag was given in 2007. It helps local weavers get fair prices for their hard work. It also stops fake products from cheating customers.

Exam-Focused Points

• Muga silk known as:  “Golden silk” of Assam

• Source:  Silkworm  Antheraea assamensis  (semi-domesticated, multivoltine)

• Host plants:  Som and Soalu (aromatic leaves)

• Rearing method:  On trees (similar to tasar silk)

• Natural colour:  Golden hue (no artificial dyes)

• Key property:  Very durable

• Region:  Brahmaputra Valley, Assam only

• GI tag year:  2007

• GI protection under:  Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999

• Traditional attire:  Mekhela chador (Assam)

• Other products:  Sarees, chaddars

• Shirui Lily found at:  Shirui Kashong peak, Manipur

• Shirui Lily community:  Tangkhul Naga

• Lily symbolism in Italy:  Purity, grace, artistic refinement (Renaissance art)

• Recent news:  PM of India gifted Muga silk stole and Shirui Lily silk stole to Italian Prime Minister

FAQs

Q1: Which Indian traditional attire is most commonly made from Muga silk?
Ans:  The Mekhela Chador of Assam.

Q2: Under which Act is Muga silk a protected GI?
Ans:  The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.

Q3: What is the scientific name of the silkworm that produces Muga silk?
Ans:   Antheraea assamensis .

Q4: Why is Muga silk called “golden silk”?
Ans:  Because it has a natural golden colour without any artificial dye.

Q5: Where does the Shirui Lily grow?
Ans:  It grows only at Shirui Kashong peak in Manipur.