Once the most valuable fabric on Earth, Dhaka muslin has now become almost extinct. Centuries on, researchers in Bangladesh have resurrected the forgotten enigmatic fabric after six years of effort -- this time, not in Dhaka but in Cumilla. Once an attire of kings and queens, muslin is a light cotton fabric of plain weave. It got its name from the ancient city of Mosul in Iraq where it was first produced. Read: Recovering Muslin is our great achievement: Textile and Jute minister According to the researchers, at least 30 metric counts of cotton fibre are needed to produce a reeled or handwoven muslin yarn. And the yarn produced in this way is so fine that a muslin saree can pass through a ring. But, somehow muslin became extinct by the end of the 18th century. At present, over 200 women are producing muslin yarn in Sonapur and Rampur villages of Cumilla’s Chandina and Debidwar upazilas under a project monitored by the Bangladesh Handloom Board (BHB). Read Recovering Muslin is our great achievement: Textile and Jute minister

Regaining of Muslin is a great achievement in Mujib Barsha. It is immensely important to contain the heritage of Bengali, said textile and jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi.