What is muslin fabric? Is Dhaka muslin still available for wholesale?

Muslin is one of the oldest and most historically significant fabrics in the Indian subcontinent — a plain-woven cotton fabric known for its extreme fineness, lightness, and breathability. The word itself has South Asian origins (from Mosul/Dhaka trade routes).

Types of muslin:

• Dhaka muslin (Woven Gold): The legendary ultra-fine muslin from Bangladesh, historically so fine that a full saree could fit in a matchbox. Now nearly extinct — only a GI-tagged artisan revival project produces it. Not commercially available for wholesale.
• Mulmul (Indian muslin): The affordable, widely available version — very fine, soft, and breathable. This is what Indian wholesale markets mean when they say "muslin."
• Swiss muslin: A crisp, slightly stiff version often used for children's garments and ethnic embroidery base.

Wholesale availability: Mulmul (Indian muslin) is widely available in Surat at ₹30–₹120 per meter. True Dhaka muslin is not commercially available for wholesale.