Deccani Style
These pages were originally created to assist members of the Court of Griffith & Aikaterine who wished to dress "In Theme" for Court at Pennsic 36. They are by no means meant to be an exhaustive description of medieval Deccani clothing, and are instead meant to provide basic ideas for how the average SCA person could achieve the correct "look" using as many of their existing garments as possible.
The Deccan Plateau covers large areas of central and southern India, especially the modern Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh. In the late medieval era it was governed by the five Muslim states of Golconda, Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Bidar and Berar. The sultans of Bijapur were particularly tolerant of Hindus, and were not averse to placing them in noteworthy positions. Persian and native Indian artists mingled in the court of the Deccani rulers, and created a style of art and architecture distinctive from the Mughal styles in the north. Whereas women's clothing was more native Indian in nature, men's clothing showed strong influence from the northern fashions of the Mughal, Mongolian, and Persian styles.Men's Clothing
General Notes
Fabrics
Fiber content: Light- to medium-weight cottons and silks are appropriate for all garments, although I personally find that close-fitting silk (such as in a choli) can be too warm for Pennsic weather.
Yes! Cotton is period for India! How exciting is that???
Patterns: Small repeating floral and geometric designs. Avoid paisley.