Achkan is a long jacket worn in South Asia

South Asia

South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...

, and together with the Sherwani

Sherwani

Sherwani is a long coat-like garment worn in South Asia, very similar to an Achkan or doublet, and is traditionally associated with the Muslim aristocracy of the northern Indian subcontinent....

, is traditionally associated with the Northern Indian aristocracy.

History

The achkan originated in Indian Subcontinent and was court dress of nobles of the royals of India, before being more generally adopted in the late eighteenth century. It is long-sleeved coat-like garment, worn close to the body, reaching down to the knees or even lower, and buttoned in front-middle. It can be distinguished from the sherwani by the fact that it is often made from lighter, finer fabrics, and is generally without line—Subrata Bhaduri.

It also gave birth to the modern Nehru Jacket

Nehru jacket

The Nehru jacket is a hip-length tailored coat for men or women, created in India in the 1940s. The jacket essentially blends the collar of the achkan, historically the royal court dress of Indian nobles, with the Western suit jacket...

, which is a shorter form of the achkan.