Bangladesh wants to revive its muslin heritage and protect the livelihood of muslin artisans. The history of muslin goes back at least a millennium and the fabric’s origins are shrouded in mystery. Marco Polo described the luxurious fabric in 1298, saying it was made in Mosul in Iraq, from which it was said to take its name. Others say the textile takes its name from the southern Indian coastal town of Masulipatnam. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Mughal Bengal emerged as the foremost muslin exporter in the world, with Dhaka as the capital of the worldwide muslin trade.

In Central Asia, muslin is referred to as daka, a reference to Dhaka’s central role in the production and trade of the fabric. The fine gauze has several commercial applications and is used in cerebrovascular neurosurgery.

Muslin is considered ideal material for swaddling babies. It’s finely-woven and breathable. The open weave and lightweight fabric of muslin allows for airflow, reducing the risk of overheating. Muslin is also durable. Weaving a product in the natural fiber of muslin makes it a workhorse fabric, giving it the ability to withstand countless washes. The delicate yet durable weave of muslin also evokes a stretch with a natural give, allowing a muslin swaddle to be tucked snuggly around the baby without being overly restrictive.