The power and influence of Indian textile pattern work on that of the British industry can be seen running through the entire course of the British connection with India, from it's initial trading links in the seventeenth century, through to its occupation as part of the Empire and through to independence in the mid-twentieth century and beyond. British designers have used different Indian pattern methods, usually though not universally, connected to floral inspired work, with chintz being particularly influential to such an extent that today chintz is considered as much British as it was originally Indian. The influence of Indian textile work on the British industry should never be underestimated. It has fundamentally challenged, guided and changed the concept of surface pattern in Britain throughout the last four centuries and will continue to do so indefinitely.

Interestingly, and perhaps ironically, the British textile industry today is only a shadow of its former self, while the Indian and more particularly Bangladeshi industry is now seen as a world leader, with textiles being by far the largest proportion of its exports. It has been able to consolidate the long and often complex history of textile design and pattern work in the region and therefore continues the cultural affinity with the production of textiles that it has always maintained