Kundan – The royal patronage of Mughals

Kundan ( K-uu-n-d-uh-n ) The word kundan means highly refined gold, and a highly refined and pure form of molten gold is used. Kundan jewelry is a style of jewelry made with techniques native to India.

imagesThe history of kundan jewelry making in India dates back several thousand years to the Mughal Empire and Dynasty period in India, between 1526 and 1858. It flourished in greatly in the Mughal era as it received royal patronage with the most intricate form of Indian Gem Stone, and is the oldest form of jewelry made and worn in India, still in use. During Mughal period, the art of kundan work reached Rajasthan from Delhi. Later on, craftsmen from the different part of the country migrated to the place and made Rajasthan a hub of Kundankari. Over the years the kundan jewellery of the courts was successfully copied in silver in Rajasthan, Bihar and the Punjab states and became popular with common man as well. Pachchikam is one such variation of Kundan Jewelry. Today, it is known world over and Rajasthan is considered to be the centre for the best kundankari workmanship. There are many styles and variations in Kundan work, with the meena kundan being considered the most traditional. In this style, the stones are encrusted on one side and the reverse is decorated with elaborate enamel or meenakari work. It is said that the meenakari was a way of adding to the beauty of the kundan jewelry. But overtime it came to be as much admired as the kundan itself.


Traditional kundan jewelry has stones encrusted on one side and colorful and intricate meenakari on the reverse. The entire technique of Kundankari lies in the skillful setting of gems and stones in gold, which is rarely solid. Holes are cut for the gems, engraving is carried out and the pieces are enameled. The core of the ornament is made out of lac, a natural resin. Later, lac is inserted into the hollow parts and is then visible from the front, through the holes left for the gems. Highly refined gold or kundan is used to cover the lac and gems are then pushed into the kundan. To increase the strength of the joints and to give it a smooth finish, more kundan is applied. Kundankari is such a specialized work that it is carried by a group of craftsmen, each carrying out a specific task. 125590-sonam-kapoor-in-the-movie-thank-youThe chiterias make the basic design, the ghaarias are responsible for engraving and making holes, meenakari or enameling is done by the enameller and the goldsmith takes care of the Kundan or gold. The jadiyas or stone setters, set stones such as jade, agate, garnet, emerald, rock crystal, topaz, amethyst, and spinel into kundan. With kundan jewelry, even the smallest piece is elaborate. It definitely can’t be termed as light jewelry. So it calls for a special occasion to bring out that kundan set.

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