The blue jean that every 2nd person wears as a symbol of “modernity” is of Indian origin. Not many people know of it. Infact, the hegemonic view that hit the symbol so hard that the people are bound to believe what comes down to them. The term “denim” might have been introduced years later as a substitute for “blue jeans”. In Hindi it was called “dongre” which today is known as a “thick cotton cloth”. This thick cloth was usually worn by workers in industries.
The blue color was given to the cloth by dying it in indigo color which is of Indian origin, named after India. After the process of weaving, felting etc the cloth was sold to the foreign traders. The largest purchaser was of course the East India Company. The birthday of blue jeans was when in the 16th century the Portuguese purchased the thick cloth of Indian origin.