Oldest Textile Company in India

When you think of oldest textile company in India, a business that survived colonial rule, independence, and global competition to remain relevant today. Also known as India’s first industrial textile enterprise, it’s not just about fabric—it’s about resilience, local innovation, and how small mills grew into national icons. The answer isn’t just one name, but a story tied to the rise of Indian industry itself.

One of the earliest players was Arvind Limited, founded in 1931 in Mumbai, originally as a small denim mill that later became a global denim supplier. Also known as Arvind Mills, it started by making coarse cotton cloth for rural markets and evolved into producing premium fabrics for international brands. Then there’s Raymond Group, established in 1925, which built its reputation on fine woolen suiting and became the face of Indian formal wear. Also known as Raymond Woolen Mills, it didn’t just make clothes—it shaped how India dressed for work, weddings, and power meetings. These weren’t just factories. They were community builders, employing thousands, training generations of weavers, and adapting to changing tastes while holding onto quality.

The real story behind India’s textile roots goes deeper than who started first. It’s about how these companies survived when British mills dominated, when synthetic fibers threatened natural ones, and when cheap imports flooded the market. They didn’t win by size alone—they won by knowing their customers, sticking to local cotton, and slowly upgrading machines without losing handcrafted precision. Even today, many of these old mills still run looms that are over 80 years old, maintained with care and pride. Meanwhile, newer giants like Reliance rushed in with automation and vertical integration, but they didn’t invent the industry—they inherited it.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of old names. It’s the real breakdown of how India’s textile sector rose, collapsed, and is now trying to rebuild. You’ll see why some companies survived while others vanished, how government policies helped or hurt them, and what lessons today’s manufacturers can learn from those who came before. Whether you’re curious about heritage brands, curious about supply chains, or just wondering why your shirt costs what it does—this collection gives you the unfiltered truth.