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.