The turban is in almost universal use throughout India. Its chief function is the protection of the head from the heat of the sun and is usually of a fine muslin-like texture which when folded is at once light, bulky and porous thus admirably fulfilling its main purpose.

The turban in its unfolded condition ordinarily consists of a strip of cloth varying in width from 9” to 12” and length from 15 to 25 yards. In some cases, however the width extends to 36 inches while the length occasionally reaches 60 yards. Sometime, gold or other decorative material is used and the end of the turban is made to extend longitudinally a little way up from the end, so that the ornamentation is visible on one or both sides of the turban.