End-piece of a Paithani Saree Paithani sarees are originally from Paithan near Aurangabad in Maharashtra although they are now also woven in Yeola, Maharashtra. In addition to this, Paithani-type sarees are often made in Gadwal, Andhra Pradesh. The city of Paithan itself is ancient; once called Prathisthan, it was one of the cities from which the Satavahana dynasty ruled some two thousand years ago. The other cities in which this dynasty was based were Dharanikota and Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh as well as Junnar near Pune in Maharashtra. There are tales that King Shalivahana (c. 78–102 CE) of the Satavahana dynasty patronised the Paithani saree which could potentially explain how similar sarees are made in both Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh although there doesn’t appear to be any concrete evidence to support this theory. What is reasonably clear is that the sarees have been woven for centuries; that they were the attire of royalty is supported by documentation particularly of ...