Madur mat-making is a long-standing tradition, centred on the Medinipur district, and is an important part of the rural economy.

The mats are non-conductive and sweat-absorbing, making them an essential household item in West Bengal's hot and humid climate.

[1] On March 28, 2018, Indian Patent Office granted the Government of West Bengal a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag for madurkathi, under registration no.

[6] Its socio-cultural relevance is evidenced by references in ancient literature, including the Atharva Veda, the Shatapatha Brahmana, and the Mahabharata.

Records from the Medieval Period provide the first information about mat-weaving in the region of Bengal, with both ordinary and fine quality mats being produced.

According to a census report of 1872, there were 618 skilled workers engaged in mat-making in the district of Medinipur, where mats were one of the principle articles of trade.

[11] Records of the British Raj show that, at the beginning of the 20th century, the price of masland mats was 100 Indian rupees (INR) or more.

[1] Madurkathi have also been used to make a variety of decorative and functional items, including door curtains, sleeping mats, tiffin-carriers, and handbags.

[13] Known locally as madurkathi, it grows on marshy land, thriving in southern and eastern India including in the area of Medinipur.

As a result, cultivation of madurkathi grass and the weaving of Madur mats has become an important part of the local household economy.

[3] Popular masland mat designs include flowers, honeycomb patterns (mouchak), rhomboidal motifs (barfi), and jharna.

[3] The natural colouring of the reeds is used to weave geometric designs, creating a subtle pattern in the finished mat.