Showing posts with label mughal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mughal. Show all posts

Tuesday 9 October 2012

A Glimpse of a Bye-gone Era

I happened to visit this magnificent royal palace situated in the heart of the old city of Hyderabad, the Chowmahalla Palace. The palace was used by the Nizams of Hyderabad to entertain their official guests and visitors. This palace consists of two courtyards, four elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens.
The Aftab Mahal and the Mehtab Mahal contains exhibitions that reflect on the way men and women used to dress at the time of Nizam's rule. The exhibitions showcase some of Hyderabad’s finest textiles and embroideries. Some of these echo the late Mughal style that came to Deccan from the court workshops of northern and western Indian, other originated or passed through the craft ateliers of Hyderabad. These textiles are remarkable for their refined design and lavish materials. Their bold workmanship flaunts a unique vigour and style. By the middle of the second decade of the 1900s European influences began to permeate the lifestyle of both men and women.
 The heavily bejeweled ladies were attired in the best of finery. The Chowgoshla ensembles of chohs, kurtas, pyjamas and dupattas, displayed here, epitomize the typical Hyderabadi dressing style that became the hallmark costume of the women since the 19th century.