Angarkha is a luxurious and traditional Indian garment that has been worn for centuries, particularly in northern regions of the country. At its core, the Angarkha is a long tunic, robe or coat that is worn both as a standalone piece and also worn over other garments. It was also used as an outer robe with long sleeves in South Asia.[1] By the 19th-century it had become the generally accepted attire of an educated man in public.[2][3] It had evolved from the Persian cape balaba or chapkan as a result of being given a more Indian form in the late medieval or early modern era.[4][5][6]
Angarkha comes from the Sanskrit aṅgarakṣaka, meaning 'body-protector'.[7]