Diljit said, Met Gala? Babe, call it a Raj Sabha!

When Diljit Dosanjh — Indian singer, actor, and full-time style icon — walked the 2025 Met Gala carpet in an ivory sherwani, gloves, and jewels, the internet ate.
But South Asians everywhere?

We saw a different headline: Ancestral memory unlocked.

👑 Royal drip has always been desi:

Long before European royalty caught onto statement fashion, Indian maharajas were living in maximalist excellence. Their wardrobes included multi-strand pearl necklaces, gemstone-studded turbans, and gold-engraved accessories, often blessed with spiritual symbolism. From the Mughal courts to Maratha dynasties, jewelry wasn’t just an accessory. It was a statement of identity, faith, and authority. Maharajas wore layers of emeralds, rubies, sapphires — sometimes all in one necklace (because why not?).

They adorned their turbans with sarpeches (jeweled brooches), wrapped pearls around their arms, and wore kadas (bracelets) engraved with spiritual verses. Each royal had their signature: some wore naths, others layered uncut stones with sacred symbols. The craftsmanship? Unreal. Think tiny gold filigree, miniature portraits, regional motifs — and stories carved in every curve. Even their swords and hookahs were bejeweled — flexing was a full-time job.

💎 And here’s the kicker:

India was the original diamond capital of the world: Before diamonds became a girl’s best friend, they were a king’s everyday essential. The Golconda mines in present-day Telangana were the sole source of diamonds until the 18th century. These mines gave us the Koh-i-Noor (read: held hostage - in the British Crown Jewels), the Hope Diamond, and other world-famous stones — most of which now “reside” in Western museums with labels like gifted, acquired, or collected. (Collected? Like seashells? Okay! 👀)

Indian royals commissioned pieces so rich in detail, they doubled as spiritual talismans and political flexes.

✨ Masculinity was not minimalist:

Indian royalty didn’t see jewelry as gendered. Men wore naths (nose rings), kajal (eyeliner), and silk robes — not as rebellion, but tradition. Beauty was sacred. Ornamentation was divine. Eventually, the British pulled up, got obsessed, and played dress-up with our culture. Maharajas became celebrities in European courts — styled in Indo-Western hybrids that still influence today’s runways.

But after colonial rule? Their treasures were stripped, sold, or stolen. Their jewels were photographed, cataloged, and — in many cases — taken.

And the narrative shifted: Pearls were “feminine.” Eyeliner was “taboo.” Gold became “gaudy.” Opulence was something to tone down.

✨ This isn’t nostalgia:

It’s resistance wrapped in design. The return to maximalism, heritage, and handcrafted detail? It’s not just aesthetic. It’s a correction. A counter-narrative. A reminder that jewelry has always been a language of the land - political, poetic, personal.

Wear the pearls. Layer the gold. Go full Raj Sabha. Because history isn’t behind us - we’re wearing it.

💥 If you're ready to channel that energy beyond the screen — our Royale Roots earrings are a quiet nod to this lineage.

**Pierced ears required!

Got thoughts? We’re all ears.
Drop a comment or write to us at hi@ateapearl.com — we’re always looking for fresh takes and contributors for Side Dishes.