Mughal Jewels: The untold stories behind India's most iconic treasures

Time of India

7 hours ago

India has always had a deep connection with jewellery– be it in rituals, royalty, or daily life. But if there's one chapter in history where that bond truly dazzled, it was during the Mughal era.
At the height of their reign, the Mughal emperors didn't just rule vast territories– they set the bar for art, culture, and, of course, fine jewellery.
For them, gemstones weren't just ornaments. They were political assets, status symbols, even historical documents. Some were inscribed with royal names, others passed quietly between kingdoms, carrying the weight of shifting power.
In a time when global conversations are circling back to questions of rightful ownership, especially of colonial-era treasures, many of these Mughal gems serve as reminders– not just of beauty, but of how history was recorded, lost, and sometimes taken.
Timur Ruby
Despite the name, the Timur Ruby isn't a ruby at all. It's a giant red spinel, and it weighs a staggering 350+ carats. But its size isn't the only thing that draws attention.
Look closer, and you'll find names etched into the stone– Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, and others. Over the years, this gemstone travelled across empires, from Mughal hands to Persia, then Punjab, and finally, to Britain. Today, it's part of the British Crown collection.
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It's not just a jewel. It's a record of shifting power– written right into the stone.
The
Peacock Throne
Commissioned by Shah Jahan, the Peacock Throne was far more than just a seat. It was a spectacle. Made from gold and decorated with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and pearls, it was topped with a bejewelled peacock– hence the name.
But the throne didn't last. In 1739, Nadir Shah invaded Delhi and carried it off. Over time, it was taken apart, and its pieces disappeared.
What remains is a memory– one of the most extravagant symbols of royal power ever built in India.
Akbar Shah Diamond
Once weighing more than 70 carats, this diamond held something rare– Arabic inscriptions of three Mughal emperors: Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. At one point, it likely sat on the Peacock Throne itself.
After Nadir Shah's invasion, it vanished for a time. When it resurfaced, it had been recut by a British jeweller– erasing the original names.
The gem survived, but the engravings, and the stories they told, did not.
Koh-i-Noor
There's no gemstone more debated than the Koh-i-Noor. Mined in the Golconda region, it changed hands many times before becoming part of the Mughal treasury.
Following the British annexation of Punjab, it was taken to England and added to the Crown Jewels. Today, it weighs just over 100 carats and sits at the heart of an ongoing conversation– one about empire, history, and what should be returned.
Daria-i-Noor
The Daria-i-Noor, or 'Sea of Light,' is one of the largest pink diamonds ever recorded. Like the Koh-i-Noor, it came from Golconda and once belonged to the Mughals.
Paired with the Noor-ul-Ain, another stunning diamond, the Daria-i-Noor was taken to Persia after the Mughal treasury was looted by Nadir Shah. Today, it remains in Iran, part of their royal collection. It's lesser known, but no less important.