The production of so called Peshawar rugs started in the late
1980's as a way to provide income for Afghan refugees who had been displaced to Pakistan.
Often they are referred to as CHOBI a nickname meaning vegetable dyed. The defining characteristic
of this production was wool that was hand spun and vegetable dyed a return to ancient traditions
and testament to the Oriental rug renaissance taking place. The designs reproduced antique
Persian village rugs such as SERAPI, HERIZ and SULTANABAD. The weaving was done by various
ethnic groups from Afghanistan primarily TURKOMAN and HAZARA who each used their own traditional
weaving structure either symmetrical knotting or asymmetrical knotting. As the production of
these carpets sold quite well other carpet manufacturers began to produce them and in contemporary
colors for today's lifestyle. Since the defeat of the Taliban most refugees have returned to
Afghanistan where production has resumed there. Indian weavers have begun to weave in this style
also.