INDIA'S BEJEWELLED PAST

From the legendary Patiala Necklace and temple-born works of art, to the Mughal-inspired kundan and ceremonial pieces now spotted on the British royal family, India's jewellery heritage glimmers with history and royal patronage. We bring you tales from treasures of the past

- HUNAR BHATIA

Arguably the most striking medium of our preserved culture, jewellery is as integral to Indian heritage as it can get.

From idols being decked up in ornaments to the phenomenon trickling down to classical dancers and brides, followed by royal dynasties with a penchant for treasures and the emergence of the concept of family heirlooms, there are certain pieces of jewellery seeped in history, some stretching back thousands of years. Amid evolving traditions, power changing hands from empire to empire, and often theft, there are some designs that have gone down in history for their remarkable craftsmanship, caratage and value. HELLO! brings you some of the most opulent pieces of jewellery that were once part of royal treasuries.

NIZAMI NUANCES

At one time, the Nizams were believed to own more jewellery than all the princely states of India put together. Once the powers that controlled the famed Golconda diamond mines, they held in their possession treasures like the 58-faceted, 184.5-carat Jacob diamond, in addition to turban ornaments like the sarpech, kalgi and turra, all of which were embellished with uncut diamonds of unmatched lustre and purity.

However, the Nizams' most enduring legacy in jewellery remains the Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace — a ceremonial piece commissioned by Cartier in 1930 as a wedding gift for Queen Elizabeth II, along with a floral tiara. She wore both pieces frequently during the early years of her marriage, and today, the necklace continues to make an appearance on the British royal family — spotted on the Duchess of Cambridge at an event in 2014.

MUGHAL MARVELS