Introduction  Jadau Jewellery owes its name to the exquisite craftsmanship that was brought by the Mughals and now forms a rich heritage of India. Jadau is primarily an engraved jewelry work. Jadau has been particularly practiced in Western Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat since the Mughal rule. It is worn particularly during auspicious occasions and events like marriages, engagements. Jadau is much in vogue till date and has dominated Indian ethnic ramp shows in recent times due to its opulence and grandeur. BACKGROUND Origin and History It is said that making Jadau jewellery using diamonds (Kundan and Polki work) and Meenakari was the original handicraft of Bikaner. Also, it is the oldest handwork jewellery practiced there since the time of the Mughals. Although the modern hubs of Jadau are in Ahmedabad and Jaipur, Bikaner has always been associated with Jadau as being the area where this craft perpetrated to different regions. Bikaner has the distinction of being the only place where Jadau work can be done on 24 carat gold. The city boasts of a strength of fifteen thousand skilled Jadau artisans. Jadau was worn by the royalty and the Mughals, and this craft was patronized by a lot of Maharajas and Maharanis in Rajasthan, along side the Mughals and is now immensely popular amongst the present generation. A lot of credit for the popularity goes to Bollywood movies in which female protagonists are seen sporting Jadau jewellery with traditional ensembles. Even though Jadau was introduced by the Mughals, the modern form of the … Continue reading Jadau