The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.37

v1.c10.37

In the time of Alexander's invasion, the Greeks were particularly struck with the extraordinary whiteness of Indian clothing, and did not fail to notice with great curiosity, as Herodotus and others had done before them in Egypt, that they were manufactured with the “ tree-wool ” or “ wool produced in nuts ”. Shortly after, Arrian, in the *Periplus to the Erythrian Sea*, noticed several kinds of cotton fabrics, both thin and thick. He names three principal sorts :—