Ancient Indian Costume c7.13

c7.13

Clothes for women were varied. At Gandhara there are figures wearing a sari-like garment which seems to have evolved from Palmyrene (Graeco-Roman) or pure Roman dress. This is the *palla* (draped-over garment worn over a long gown with ruched sleeves which was typical of the Roman matron) pinned at the left shoulder. The difference in some of the Gandhara female figures is that they wear, in addition, an *antariya* which is extended in length. This long *antariya* is worn in the *kachcha* style but one end continues over the left shoulder and is broached there like the *palla*. The total ensemble looks very much like the Deccani sari of today. The long ruched sleeves are visible underneath and could be a shortened version of the Roman long gown (*stola*) worn as a covering for the breasts. In addition, the typical Indian *uttariya* is worn across the back and over both arms, and Indian jewellery completes the ensemble. The wearing of an *uttariya* with the sari is still seen in the fisherfolk of Maharashtra.