The first-ever study of one of the most outstanding collections of gemstones and jewellery of a fabulously wealthy dynasty of India that ruled the Deccan for seven generations. Sometimes worn but never shown, these jewels belonged to the Nizams of Hyderabad, once reputed to be the richest men in the world.
Finely crafted from gold and silver and exquisitely enamelled, the jewels are set with Colombian emeralds, Golconda diamonds, Burmese rubies and spinels, and pearls from Basra and India.

Usha R Bala Krishnan is a jewellery historian, lecturer and fine arts consultant based in Mumbai. She is also the author of Dance of the Peacocks.

Bharath Ramamrutham is internationally recognised as one of the foremost
photographers in India of the built, human and natural environment.