![]() Several Influences on Mughal Jewellery Various artefacts have been excavated that show the adaptability of both conventional Islamic and traditional Indian styles along with the originality and creativity of artists in various regions. Other than the Mughals, other Islamic powers have also dominated India, which include the Ghaznavids, the Ghurids, the Turkish and Afghan dynasties. Thus the culmination of centuries of Islamic rule was seen in the Mughal dynasty and all these collective influences were witnessed in their life, art, architecture and crafts, including jewellery. Influence of Rajputs on Mughal Jewellery ![]() European Influence on Mughal Jewellery Some of the earliest Mughal jewellery shows the gradual influence of the 17th Century European style. Jewellery in the Renaissance era also hugely influenced the Mughal pattern, such as the scrolling leaf designs on the inner surface of a thumb ring. A more prominent imposition is evident in turban jewellery where a completely new form seems to have its source in European hat aigrettes. Courtly jewellery carried on the traditions established in the 17th century. Styles of Mughal Jewellery The styles in jewellery under the Mughals were an amalgamation of Islamic and Hindu artistic styles. The style of jewellery in Akbar’s era was a hybrid of Iranian and Hindu influences, as would be expected of the emperor of a dynasty whose cultural roots were in Iran. The turban plume known as ‘Kalgi’ or ‘Figha’ and golden bands called ‘Sarpich’ are exactly those seen in contemporary Safavid painting. His necklaces on the other hand are of the kinds listed in Kautilya’s Arthashastra , consisting of pearls, pearls and gems, gold on its own, or gold with pearls and gems. A contemporary work, the Ain-i-Akbari, gives a list of ornaments worn by the women of Hindustan. Some of these may be seen virtually unchanged and worn equally by Muslim ladies. The ornaments include the ‘Karanphul’ which is shaped like the blossom of love-in-the-mist and ‘Nath’, a nose ring in the form of a circular gold wire threaded with a ruby between two pearls or other gemstones. Evolution of Mughal Jewellery ![]() Later, Shah Jahan, his son, turned to Europe for an innovative Jigha, which related to the designs of the Dutch jeweller Arnold Lulls. Shah Jahan was greatly impressed by the also jewels wore by James I, as depicted in the portraits brought to the court by Sir Thomas Roe. In the 1618 painting, Shah Jahan, still a prince holds an Indian version of Lulls' designs. The Mughal emperors conquered most of India, and as a result, their influence extended well beyond North India. The typical Mughal style is visible in the jewellery of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Mughal enamelling and stonework were adopted by other Indian regions for their regional jewellery. Following the Mughals, their style of jewellery-making was carried forward and indulged in by the successive Indian rulers as well. |
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