Jama (coat) explained

The term jama (Hindustani: जामा, جام ; Bengali: জামা; Odia: ଜାମା) refers to a long coat which was popular in South Asia during the early modern era.

Styles

Some styles of the jama were tight around the torso but flared out like a skirt to below the knees or the ankles.

• The chakman jama, ended at around the knees. The sleeves tended to be full.^[1] The jama was fastened to either side with strings with some styles also opening at the front.^[2] What was originally male dress was also adopted by women who wore the jama with a scarf and tight fitting pajamas.^[3] The ties of the upper half of the jama are taken under the armpit and across the chest.^[4]
• Chakdar jama Jama with chaks (slits) was a particular style of jama. It was the pointed jama which was like the standard Mughal jama but the skirt fell in four to six points instead of the circular hem of the Mughal jama. This jama may be derived from the Rajput court's takauchiah^[5] and therefore could be of local origin.^[6]
• During the Sikh reign the jama was no longer flowing but shorter and often tucked up around the waist to allow freedom of movement.^[7] A similar dress, called the chola, was worn by the Sikhs Gurus.^[8]
• During the 19th and 20th centuries A.D. the jama was reduced to a shirt like garment in the northern (upper) parts of British India.^[9]
• Farzi (coat) was a coat with short sleeves and fur collars, opened in front. The length was shorter than Jama. Farzi was a winter's garment. Mughal emperors and courtiers were wearing it over the Jama, fastened with a decorated piece of cloth, i.e., Katzeb around the waist area with loosely hanging ends.
• Hindu and Muslim Jamas – Hindus and Muslims were wearing the same garment with little different styles, Hindus were fastening the Jama on the left side of the body, and the Muslims tied it on the right-hand side.^{[10] [11]}

Nimjama (Neema or Nima) was an undergarment for the upper body. The courtiers wore it underneath the costumes, such as Jama (coat). The style was similar to a vest half sleeves garment. Nimajama was aided with strings to tie in front; the length was up to the knees only, shorter than the Jama. It was an indispensable part of the Mughal attire.^[12]

Modern use

In Gujarat, the jama began to lose popularity by the end of the 19th century A.D.^[13] However, men in parts of Kutch still wear the jama also known as the angarkha^[14] which has an asymmetric opening with the skirt flaring out to around the hips.^[15] However, some styles fall to below the knees.

See also

• Dashiki
• Kaftan
• Robe
• Tunic
• Terlig
• Angarkha
• Kurta
• Katzeb
• Farzi (coat)

Notes and References

1. Book: The Complete Costume Dictionary. Lewandowski, E.J.. 2011. Scarecrow Press. 9780810877856. 148. 2021-01-30.
2. Goverdhan Panchal (1983) Bhavāī and Its Typical Āhārya: Costume, Make-up, and Props in Bhavāī, the Traditional Dramatic Form of Gujarāt https://books.google.com/books?id=nJPQAAAAMAAJ&q=jama+costume
3. Book: Elements of Fashion and Apparel Design. Sumathi, G.J.. 2007. New Age International. 9788122413717. 139. 2021-01-30.
4. Cohn, Bernard S. (1996) Colonialism and Its Forms of Knowledge: The British in India https://books.google.com/books?id=uIalYaenrTkC&q=jama+dress
5. Condra, Jill (2008) The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Clothing Through World History: 1501–1800 https://books.google.com/books?id=S8bTzilz1BMC&dq=chakdar+jama+dress+persian&pg=PA212
6. Krishna Chaitanya (1992) History of Indian Painting: Rajasthani Traditions https://books.google.com/books?id=qr2iZqOM3fsC&q=persian+painting&pg=PA18
7. Kumar, Raj (2006) Paintings and Lifestyles of Jammu Region: From 17th to 19th Century A.D. https://books.google.com/books?id=f-1XyQ2eIG8C&dq=sikh+jama+dress&pg=PA99
8. Web site: ਚੋਲਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਕਾ - ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਪੀਡੀਆ . Cholas of the Gurus . 2022-09-05 . punjabipedia.org . Punjabi.
9. Miller, Daniel (2001) Consumption: The history and regional development of consumption https://books.google.com/books?id=39wzrWv2WY4C&dq=punjabi+jama+upper+garment&pg=PA414
10. Book: Kumar, Ritu. Costumes and Textiles of Royal India. 2006. Antique Collectors' Club. 978-1-85149-509-2. 39. en.
11. Book: The India Magazine of Her People and Culture. 1992. A. H. Advani. 21. en.
12. Book: The Illustrated Weekly of India. 1969. Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press. 8. en.
13. Book: Indian Costume. Ghurye, G.S.. 1966. Popular Prakashan. 9788171544035. 154. 2021-01-30.
14. Book: Fashions from India. Tierney, T.. 2013. Dover Publications. 9780486430409. 4. 2021-01-30.
15. Web site: The Tribune - Windows - Featured story. tribuneindia.com. 2021-01-30.