Dhaka topi

The **Dhaka topi** ( ), is a hat which is popular in Nepal among Nepalis and North Indian states of Sikkim and Assam, including Darjeeling and Dehradun among Sikkimese and Indian Gorkhas. It is a part of Nepalese and Indian-Gorkha national dress, worn by men on celebrations and festivals.

## Dhaka topi
In Nepal Bhasa, thread is called '*ka* ''(का)'''. In Nepal Bhasa, raw thread is called '*kachika* ''(काचीका)''', while the decorative thread worn by women when tying their hair is called '*sachika* ''(साचीका)'''. Similarly, the special thread used to make caps is called '*dhaka* ''(धाका)'''. A cap made from fabric woven with '*dhaka*' is called a *Dhaka topi* (Dhaka cap).

The Dhaka topi was a part of the Nepalese national dress, and a symbol of Nepalese nationality. It became popular during King Mahendra's rule between 1955 and 1972. Back then people needed to wear Dhaka topi for official photographs for passports and documents. In the times of king Mahendra, Dhaka topis were available for rent near the Singha Durbar in Kathmandu.

Dhaka clothing is no longer a part of Nepalese fashion, but it is still an important part of society and Nepalese identity. They are also given away as gifts during Dashain and Tihar festivals.  These days many Nepalis rarely wear a cap unless they are attending some cultural programme. There are more people wearing topi than dhoti in this day. Madhesi people use this day as an opportunity to promote their culture. Madhesis and Sikhs in Nepal are often discriminated against because of they usually don't wear Dhaka topi.

## Dhaka cloth
*Dhaka* is one of the most popular cotton textile in Nepal. They usually have various coloured patterns in them. Coloured cotton is imported from India and weaved into detailed patterns using only a few colours. Some farmers and weavers have tried making silk Dhaka topi cloth with little success.

There are different myths about the origin of Dhaka fabric. One story tells that a minister returned from Dhaka, Bangladesh with the idea of such a topi. It then ended up replacing the old black cap in popularity. Another story tells that name is so because at first cloths and threads for Dhaka topi used to come from Dhaka, similar to Dhakai muslin (fine cotton of Dhaka). It is also possible that Hindu weavers started living in Nepal to run away from the Muslim invasion of Bengal. The method of pattern weaving used around Dhaka is called *Jamdani*. It is very different from what is currently used by Nepalese weavers. As the Shah dynasty government showed a liking for Dhaka cloth and topis made out of it, other weavers started following Maharajan. By early 1970, his own factory Swadeshi Vastrakala Palpali Dhaka Udhyog had grown to employ around 350 workers. Tansen, the most popular source of Dhaka topis, is town with Magar, Brahmin, Chhetris with Newars who came in the 19th century looking for wealth. Apart from the famous Dhaka clothes, Tensen is also known for its metal craft including Karuwa mugs, jars and other items. It is a custom to buy Palpali Dhaka clothes as souvenir while visiting the area. This includes shawls and thailo purses that has two pairs of strings that can be drawn to open and close the purse. Many communities wear their own traditional dresses. Like the Tamang women wear a different round hat. Some Buddhist Tamang women wear *Bakhus* which are ethnic to the Tibetan people. *Bhaad-gaaule topis* are similar to Dhaka topi but they are black in colour because they are not made from Dhaka. Other than Dhaka and kalo topis there are many other topis made and worn in Nepal including *chuclie topi*, *birke topi*, *karchupe topi* and *cap topi*.

## References
## Other websites
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* Lionel Messi wears a Dhaka topi, *Huffington Post*