The Mughal emperors conquered most of India spanning from the early 16th century to the middle of the 19th century having a profound impact on Indian jewelry beyond north India. The typical Mughal jewelry style is majorly seen in regions of Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Andra Pradesh, and Odisha.
During the iconic rule of Mughal emperors (Akhbar, Shah Jahan, Jahangir) the art of luxurious jewelry-making highly evolved with intricate designs which involved the use of precious stones and metals. Mughal influence introduced a sophisticated approach to Indian jewelry with elaborate patterns and inspiring use of precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. The detailed craftsmanship and legacy of Mughal influence kept on reflecting the rich artistic symbolism of the time.
The Mughal era brought in several traditional techniques and skills that transformed the classic approach to the process of jewelry making in India. There have been numerous techniques that have been passed down from one generation to the other :
Kundan involves a process of carefully placing precious stones in gold, enhancing the stone's natural appearance and embracing their visual appeal. This process involves meticulously placing precious stones such as diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies including elaborate motifs and intricate floral patterns.
Meenakari art is a vibrant craftsmanship that originated back in ancient India during the Mughal Era. This art involves applying enamel to intricate metal designs typically gold and silver. Skilled artisans popularly known as Meenakars engrave metal carvings which are then filled with colored enamel. The everlasting beauty of Meenakari art remains a significant symbol of artistic heritage making it an ancient charm.
Mughal jewelry is a well-curated blend of historic grandeur along with a hint of contemporary fashion. To achieve a balanced yet sophisticated look start by pairing layered Mughal jewelry with simple yet modern outfits. For formal events pair bold jewelry with classic pieces like a saree and Anarkali suit to allow the jewelry to be a focal point. The overall tip is to keep your outfit as simple as possible to let your antique Mughal jewelry shine as a center of attention ensuring that its beauty doesn't go unnoticed.
Mughal jewelry requires intensive care and storage protection to maintain its timeless aura and vibrant appearance, here are some essential tips to take care of Mughal jewelry:
Use a damp cloth and water to take off the excess dirt from its surface and then follow it up with a mild soap and water solution. Avoid soaking the jewelry as it can damage the gemstones. Harsh cleaning agents such as bleach, cleaning agents, and strong acids should be avoided as they can damage the metal and its enamel.
Mughal jewelry storage should be done in separate velvet pouches or a lined jewelry box to prevent unnecessary friction and tangling. Provide them with a clean and dry atmosphere as excessive humidity can lead to metal tarnishing.
Make sure to always wear your jewelry at last after putting on your makeup, perfume, and even hair products as the chemicals can cause damage to its surface. Handle your jewelry with care especially if it has bulky gemstones as bumping and dropping the jewelry can damage it.
Mughal artistry has pierced a major influence on Indian jewelry that when blended with the Persian ornamentation has created a new legacy of sophistication. The intricate techniques of Kundan and Meenakari work have highlighted a new standard of grandeur for the world to experience. The captivating beauty of Mughal jewelry keeps inspiring contemporary fashion and paying homage to traditional craftsmanship while still evolving to modern aesthetics.
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