Indian Tents - The Past And The Present

By Author: Anil Panwar
Total Articles: 31
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Tents are one of the most suited options for organizing parties, weddings, events, and large gatherings. Indian tents specifically are preferred for events because of their unique shape and available in a number of patterns. Let’s explore more about the popular types of tents.

Indian tents are brightly colored temporary shelters that keep the heat and rain out. Large quantities of different colored thick cloth pieces are stitched together to form such tents. Usually, four poles are pitched in four corners and the tent cloth is tied tightly on top across these poles with ropes. In addition, the rope is tied to large nails that are dug into the soil, with the nail heads pointing in a direction away from the tent.

If the tent is very large, there may be a few more poles added to keep the tent cloth up. Quite often the tents are circular or pentagonal in shape. The number of poles is increased accordingly to keep these tents up.

Such tents were used by kings and queens in India when they went out on hunting tours or other journeys. Back then, leather was used more often than manufactured cloth. The entire ...
... tent was also covered on sides with more cloth or leather that had window shaped openings for ventilation. The height of these tents at their entrance used to be less. Therefore, people entering the tent usually bent a bit and then straightened up once they were in. A curtain used to mark such entrance into the tent and the king or his army chief would sit inside facing the entrance.

In modern times, Indians use these tents during large gatherings, such as meetings, and social functions. Colors such as blue, white, red, yellow and green are most common on these tents. Usually single large strips of such colors are stitched straight but geometric designs on these tents are not uncommon. Darker colors offer better shade, so blue, red, and green are more prominent on such tents.

The tent culture has reached the hospitality sector of modern India. Therefore, many resorts have tents in their large gardens and by the side of some water bodies. Such modern Indian tents are more or less circular in shape, with stitched material radiating from the center of the tent towards its edges. There are designs at these edges like those found in the awnings.

In addition, such tents have curtains of thin materials that let people within enjoy the view outside while remaining protected from the sun's rays. Even poles of such tents may be decorated with colorful paints matching the tent's colors. Tents used by hospitality sector are usually white, brown, beige, or red in color. Furniture in these tents of hospitality sector is large and gives it a royal ambience. This is unlike the plastic furniture and metal furniture used when social meetings or political meetings are held under such tents.

Columbus' discovery of America introduced the Europeans to natives of American continent. Tents made by these Indians were conical in shape tapering upwards, with a slight opening upwards. These were the wigwams made from hide of animals or other woven materials. Attractive designs were painted, woven, or stitched on these artistic Indian tents. Such tents are fashionable today but these are now made from modern weatherproof materials. However, the geometric designs characteristic of Red Indians, and other Aztec and Maori tribes still adorn such tents.

Author of the article recommends RoyalTents, the leading manufacturer and wholesaler for buying Indian tents, camping tents, maharaja tents, and a variety of party tents.