Indigo

The word Indigo has a deep cultural history, its root being derived from the Greek word indicum, meaning a substance from India. Dyes were a highly priced commodity in the early 17th century amongst the silk route and made popular by the East India Company. Named after the plant which bears the same name, Indigo the color (or dye) was being sold in finished textiles rather than raw material by the mid 17th century.

During the second half of the 18th century Bengal and Bihar became the major processors of Indigo through promotion by the East India Company. Much to the distress of the rest of the country Bengal quickly became the world's biggest producer of indigo causing riots in Bihar and other parts of the vast country.

Indigo made a major contribution to the fashions of the 20th and 21st century when it was used to color denim used for dungarees (jeans). First made popular by Levi Strauss in the 1800s. during the gold rush. So, the next time you purchase a pair of jeans or anything colored with this rich and beautiful dye, you can be reminded of the rich history of indigo.