Crown of Bahadur Shah II

The Crown of the Bahadur Shah II is the head dress of last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II (r. 1837 – 1857).

Crown of the Bahadur Shah II, ca 1850 painting

History

It was created in the second quarter 19th century, most probably in Delhi or the surrounding areas by goldsmiths and jewellers. It is strictly speaking not a crown, but an article of head dress. The materials used are gold, turquoises, rubies, diamonds, pearls, emeralds, feathers and velvet. Its dimensions are 28.5 x 23.5 x 23.5 cm.

It is part of the Royal Collection with the inventory number RCIN 67236.

Further reading

• Jonathan Marsden. Victoria & Albert: Art & Love. The Royal Collection, London, 2010. ISBN 978-1905686216
• Harriet Tytler. An Englishwoman in India: The Memoirs of Harriet Tytler, 1828-58. Oxford Paperbacks, Oxford, 1988. ISBN 978-0192821003

External links

• "Crown of the Emperor Bahadur Shah II". Royal Collection Trust. Inventory no. 67236.