One of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s favorite horses and some of his finest jewels

Following Indian ideals of kingship, rulers wore opulent jewelry and fabulous clothing as an expression of their power, wealth, and refinement. Visitors to the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh unfailingly remarked upon its extraordinary splendor. A commander of the British army in India observed that “the dresses and jewels of the Rajah’s court were the most superb that can be conceived.”

For Ranjit Singh, horses were an essential aspect of royal display. The three large emeralds in the bottom image, drawn to scale, were among the many jewels that festooned the maharaja’s horse.

On occasion Ranjit Singh is even said to have adorned his horses with such priceless gems as the Koh-i-Noor diamond, shown here in top and side views.