Ajrak is Sindh's most distinctive textile tradition: a hand-block-printed cloth produced in deep indigo, red, and black, with geometric patterns that have been characteristic of Sindhi culture for at least 4,000 years (ajrak-like patterns appear on artefacts from the Indus Valley Civilisation). The cloth is used as shawls, turbans, and wrapping cloth and carries profound cultural significance — receiving an ajrak is a gesture of welcome and respect.
Thatta has been one of the centres of ajrak production for centuries. The bazaar area in the town centre has several shops and workshops selling ajrak textiles, ranging from machine-printed imitations to hand-block-printed work of high quality. The genuine hand-printed ajrak is produced using a resist-dyeing process requiring multiple stages of printing and dyeing over several days.
Distinguishing genuine hand-printed ajrak from machine prints requires looking at the back of the cloth — hand-printed pieces show the pattern almost as clearly on the reverse as on the front. The better shops can explain the difference. Prices for genuine hand-printed ajrak reflect the labour involved; they are one of the best-value Pakistani handicrafts available and pack flat for travel.