The beautiful conception of the Maheshwari saree dates back to 18th century Madhya Pradesh. These sarees were first found and produced in the town of Maheshwar, hence the name. These sarees were initially made of pure Silk, but with the passage of time, Cotton was also one of the major fabrics used for these exquisitely designed sarees.
The interesting legend behind these sarees is of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar who ordered various craftsman and artisans from Malwa and Surat to design a special saree with 9 yards, which later came to be known as the Maheshwari sarees. These sarees were supposed to be a special gift for the royal relatives and guests who visited the palace.