What is the difference between mulmul and muslin fabric in India?

Both mulmul and muslin refer to fine, lightweight, loosely woven cotton fabrics — and the terms are often used interchangeably in the Indian market. However, there are nuances:

Muslin (the broader term): Any fine plain-woven cotton fabric. The term comes from Mosul (Iraq) via trade routes, but India's Dhaka muslin was historically the world's finest. Today "muslin" covers a wide range of qualities from coarse to ultra-fine.

Mulmul (the Indian everyday term): In Indian trade, "mulmul" specifically refers to soft, lightweight, loosely woven cotton used for everyday sarees, kurtis, and summer garments. It is the colloquial Hindi name for muslin-weight cotton.

Practical difference in Indian wholesale: