At first glance, there is little that differentiates Yeola (Nashik district; the hometown of Maratha leader Tatya Tope) from the scores of other small towns that dot this part of Maharashtra. But as we wound our way across the town, we noticed modest homes inside labyrinthine lanes, installed with handlooms that occupied a pride of place inside. We also noticed the unmistakable signs of development: traditional houses were sprouting new extensions everywhere and bore fresh coats of paint.

The intricate process of weaving