The Mughal emperors did not just wear pearls; they surrounded themselves with them. For centuries, pearls were the heart of Mughal elegance, representing purity, balance, and divine beauty. They were the gem of calm radiance, admired for their soft glow and their quiet reflection of power.
In the royal courts of Delhi, Agra, and Lahore, pearls adorned everything, their crowns, robes, weapons, and manuscripts. Emperor Akbar was known for his fondness for pearls and often wore multiple strands layered across his chest. His son Jahangir appreciated the symmetry and softness they brought to royal regalia. Under Shah Jahan, the Mughal love for pearls reached its finest expression.
Shah Jahan’s portraits often show him surrounded by an aura of white light, his robes and turbans trimmed with luminous pearls. For the Mughals, these jewels were more than ornaments. They were reflections of the emperor’s soul- calm, radiant, and unyielding in its purity.
Pearls also appeared in art and architecture. The smooth white marble of the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, was described by court poets as a palace carved from a single pearl. Miniature paintings from the period reveal courtiers and queens draped in layers of pearls, their lustre captured in delicate brushstrokes.
The Mughal fascination with pearls was spiritual as much as aesthetic. They saw in them the same harmony they sought in life- soft power, quiet grandeur, and eternal beauty.
At Anaash, this legacy lives on. Each piece we create carries that sense of refined calm, echoing the Mughal balance of simplicity and splendour.
FAQs
Q.1) Why did the Mughals value pearls so much?
They saw pearls as symbols of purity, wisdom, and calm strength, reflecting their idea of divine kingship.
Q.2) Where did the Mughals get their pearls from?
Most Mughal pearls came from Basra in the Persian Gulf, prized for their soft glow and flawless surface.
Q.3) Did both men and women wear pearls?
Yes. Emperors, queens, and courtiers wore pearls as part of their royal dress and ceremonial jewellery.
Q.4) Were pearls used in Mughal art and design?
Yes. Pearls appeared in paintings, embroidery, and decorative crafts, and even inspired the use of white marble in architecture.
Q.5) How does Anaash carry forward this heritage?
Anaash honours Mughal artistry by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, keeping the purity of pearls at the centre of every creation.