The Fascinating Evolution of Indian Jewellery

The history of India and the evolution of its jewellery are almost inseparable. Leaning as far back as five thousand years ago, the advent of jewellery may have been to embellish and adorn, but over the years it has come to mean much more than that. Playing various roles such as the mark of a person’s status, the harbinger of financial security, and a significant part of various rituals, jewellery has become so intertwined with culture that it is difficult to speak of one without mentioning the other.

Simple yet elegant pieces of jewellery are amongst the most commonly found relics of the Harappan civilization. Various ornaments made of different materials such as gold, copper, silver, pottery, ivory and more have been found and go on to show how deep the roots of jewellery-making penetrate back into time.              

Another important landmark for jewellery was the time of temple jewellery. While the originals were meant only for deities, imitations of the classical pieces of jewellery later began to be worn by Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancers. These pristine pieces are works of exquisite skill and talent and display a certain finesse that comes only with the hard work of the craftsmen. Precious stones set in gold provide an unparalleled sense of beauty and timelessness.

Jumping to many years later, when the Mughal rulers raised their flags in India, we see emerging trends such as the confluence of Indian and Central Asian styles. Techniques such as the Kundan method of setting various stones in pure gold were perfected in this period. The technique of inlaying stones in gold was another significant achievement in this time. Traditional Indian designs were modified to inculcate designs inspired by nature, geometry and flora.    

Similarly, the Jadau technique may have been brought to the subcontinent by the Mughals but Jadau jewellery was perfected under Rajasthani and Gujarati artisans, under whom it flourished, due to the addition of their unique touches.   

Later, the 19^th and 20^th century brought with it the wave of colonialism and the need to incorporate their ways into various spheres of life. European influences seeped into Indian designs, and European jewelers also began to create pieces for Indian rulers, which brought forth various refined and innovative designs.      

Traditional Indian jewellery may have been chunky and heavy, but the modern woman desires the same grace and opulence in a sleek form that does not interfere with work or feel uncomfortable. Contemporary jewellery thus ranges from minimalistic to heavily embellished pieces for those who prefer the old ways. 

In this land with a rich and intriguing culture of loving jewellery, whether you seek ancient jewellery reminiscent of the earlier days or look for the latest wedding jewellery designs in Delhi, each and every piece will have a story to tell, a history to fall back upon.