Ancient Indian Costume c8.s3.10

c8.s3.10

Another *choli* which ends just above the waist is made of diaphanous material and seen particularly in the dress of princesses and other royal ladies. This *choli* appears to be fastened in front, probably knotted, as is the case with certain *cholis* in use today. This would cover the back completely, but expose most of the midriff in front. The Persian shirt or *kurta*, with its side-opening at the neck, slit sides and four-poted hemline had become thoroughly Indianised and was commonly used even by women. Another style of the *kurta* was with crossover flaps and side-opening in the *angarkha* style. Ankle-length fitted tunics in brocade still appear foreign and may have been a Turanian Tartar (a nomadic race of Mongolian stock from Central Asia) contribution to the fashions at court.