The favourable climate and fertile alluvial soil of the region supported the cultivation of mulberry plants, whose leaves are used to feed silkworms (Bombyx mori) that produce the fine silk fibre. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Murshidabad silk was widely traded by European companies including the British, Dutch and French trading houses, making the region an important node in the global silk trade.

The saree forms part of the broader Murshidabad silk tradition, a weaving heritage that developed under the patronage of the Mughal courts when the region became an important centre for silk production and trade.

Garad sarees are typically woven from pure mulberry silk characterised by their elegant off-white or natural cream body paired with distinctive red borders and motifs. The word Garad itself refers to undyed or natural silk, reflecting the traditional aesthetic where the body of the saree remains free from dye while the borders and pallus carry subtle woven patterns.

The weaving process involves silk yarn preparation, dyeing of border yarns, warping and handloom weaving using traditional looms.

Historically, Garad sarees have held a special place in Bengali cultural life and are often worn during religious ceremonies, festivals and auspicious occasions, particularly during Durga Puja. Their simplicity and purity of colour symbolize ritual sanctity and cultural refinement. The weaving communities of Murshidabad continue to preserve this heritage silk tradition through generations of artisanal knowledge.