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Even school uniforms in Indonesia have subdued batik patterns in them. history: Indonesia has been trading in batik since the days of the Arab and Indian merchant fleets of the early 16th Century. The craft was probably introduced into Indonesia during the 12th Century; no one knows from where exactly. Possibly it originated in Turkey or Egypt. Most batik can be traced back to Javanese influence and some believe that it evolved on Java and Madura out of an ancient way of painting on textiles. At one time, only persons of royal rank were allowed to wear some patterns and batik kerchiefs (kain kepala) are still draped over the tombs of Javanese princes and Islamic saints. This art was considered a spiritual discipline and the making of batik was once only the pursuit of ladies of the nobility. Batik as a folk art was nearly destroyed by the import of Japanese cotton prints in the 1930's and 40's.