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Vedic
Age
The
Vedic age was also very rich in culture and the Rig Vedic references
to gold jewelry are ample. Several different articles of jewelry,
named fittingly were known to have existed during this period.
Some examples are: Khada-anklet jewelry, mukuta
or crown, Karsna sobhana - ear decoration, shell
bangles called rambu which were finely carved and inlaid
with gold worn exclusively by women, girdles known as mekala
were very much a part of the fashion scene in those days as they
are today.
The Ramayana has an elaborate description of the exquisite and
beautiful jewelry that Sita wore when she came to accept Rama
as her bridegroom. There are many more references to unique pieces
of jewelry like the Chudamani a jewel studded with pearls
and priceless gems, that Sita's father gifted her on her wedding.
The Mahabharata refers to the first loss of Yuddhisthar in the
gambling session with the Kauravas in Hastinapur as a pearl and
later many more valuable pieces of jewelry.
The
use of gems had become so profuse during the period of that Kings
and royal persons preferred to wear them studded in their gold
jewelry. They were also studded in the warriors' favourite weapons.
Men and women wore ornaments, only there existed a difference
in their shapes and sizes.
During
the Epic period, heavy jewelry of solid gold came into vogue and
so too the different grades of gold for the use of making ornaments
like imitation and commercial gold.
Thus
during the Vedic age, it is obvious that precious stones and pearls
had been discovered which was a significant development since
the proto historic period.
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