Directions: Read the given passage carefully to answer the following questions. Each question will have five alternatives as its answer. Choose the correct option as your answer.
Fashion is not merely an aesthetic choice; it reflects the socio-cultural currents of an era. In ancient civilisations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley, clothing served both practical and symbolic functions. Egyptians wore linen garments suited to their climate, while Mesopotamians draped woollen robes. In India, traditional attire such as the dhoti, sari, and angavastra symbolised not only identity but also regional craftsmanship.
One fascinating aspect of fashion history is the evolution of sleeves. Initially, ancient garments were sleeveless or featured minimal coverage due to climate and weaving limitations. As societies evolved, so did tailoring techniques. During the Mughal era in India, intricate sleeve designs became popular, with long, fitted sleeves and sometimes dramatic bell shapes at the cuffs. In Europe, puff sleeves came into prominence in the Renaissance period, symbolising nobility and grandeur. These oversized sleeves were both cumbersome and symbolic of high social standing, requiring a level of leisure to wear such impractical designs.
Another often-overlooked area in the study of fashion is its link to systems of labour, including slavery. The fabrics, dyes, and embroidery that defined traditional outfits were historically tied to hierarchical labour systems. Globally, slavery evolved through centuries—from chattel slavery to bonded labour and indentured servitude. After the formal abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833, new forms of exploitative labour emerged.
In the Indian context, a significant shift occurred post-1907 with the entry of global plantation economies, especially in tea, sugar, and cotton. Though slavery was officially outlawed, the indenture system functioned in many ways as a disguised form of bondage. Workers from rural India were sent to colonies like Fiji, Mauritius, and the Caribbean under exploitative contracts. Their traditional outfits—loose cotton garments suited for tropical climates—became markers of both cultural identity and social displacement in foreign lands.
Thus, the story of fashion is incomplete without understanding the intersection of style, structure, and servitude. Whether it’s the extravagant puff sleeve or the humble homespun cotton, clothing narrates not just taste, but also toil.