Question

Indigo is used on –

• A. Silk Clothes
• B. Wollen Clothes
• C. Colourful Clothes
• D. White Cotton Clothes

Hint:

Indigo is primarily a cotton dye producing blue color. It works best on white cotton fabrics through a unique oxidation process. Remember: Denim (jeans) gets its blue color from indigo dye on cotton.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Indigo is one of the oldest and most important natural dyes used for coloring textiles, particularly cotton. What is Indigo?

Indigo is a natural blue dye obtained from plants of the genus Indigofera
It produces a distinctive deep blue color
Chemically, the active coloring compound is indigotin
Today, synthetic indigo is also produced industrially
Why Indigo is Used on White Cotton Clothes:

Cotton Affinity: Indigo has excellent affinity for cellulose fibers (cotton, linen)
White Base: Indigo dyeing works best on white or light-colored fabrics to achieve the characteristic blue shade
Traditional Use: Historically used for dyeing cotton fabrics like denim (blue jeans), khadi, and traditional textiles
Dyeing Process: Cotton is dipped in indigo vat, and upon exposure to air, the fabric turns blue
Why Other Options are Incorrect:

(A) Silk Clothes:

Silk is a protein fiber (animal origin)
Indigo can be used on silk but is not the primary or traditional use
Silk is usually dyed with acid dyes or other specific dyes

(B) Woollen Clothes:

Wool is also a protein fiber
Requires different types of dyes (acid dyes)
Indigo is not commonly used on wool

(C) Colourful Clothes:

Vague and incorrect
Indigo gives a blue color; applying on already colored clothes would not give pure indigo shade
Dyeing requires white or light base for true color

Historical Significance:

Indigo cultivation was a major industry in colonial India
The Indigo Revolt (1859-60) in Bengal occurred due to exploitation of indigo farmers by British planters
Referenced in the lesson "Indigo" by Louis Fischer about Gandhi's Champaran movement
Final Answer: White Cotton Clothes