The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1920-07-23
ure, are no myth, but just plain fact.
The Delhi Loot.

The Delhi Loot.
The Nawab of Bahawalpur owns a
portion of what is known as the 'Del-
hi loot" which, as a whole, once con-
stituted the Mogul emperOrs' crown
jewels, filched by them in turn from
the Hindus and their ancient temples.
SO it was fitting that some should have
found their way back. History re-
cords that every gem in the almost
fabulous collection has been igura-
lively, if not literally, drenched in
blood. There are ornaments for the
front of turbanS; cap to cover the
head fashioned entirely of jewels, with
just enough gold fligree to hold them
in place; ropes of pearls. rubies and
emeralds; numberless rings, bracelets
and ankletS for There is a
wonderful diamond necklace called
the Garland of Delight" the largest
stone of which measures one and one
quarter inches in diameter.
The Garland of Delight has
blaZed an imperishable trail through
the history of eastern romance, which
is ever akin to tragedy. 1t was worn
secretly for a brief span by Gul Saffa,
the "White Rose" a beautiful dancing
girl whose story bears repeating. She
was the mistress of Dara, who was q
brother of Emperor Aurangzeb, the
last of the four great Moguls. Dara
and A~urangzeb, sons of Shah Jahan,
hath op,h;+io,,c - .;A 90 49,. H.
cock throne. But Aurangzeb, nick
named the white Snake" because he
was born with a c~uriously white skin,
after he had removed all obstacles, in
Guiding his brother, managed eventual
ly to coil himself on the cushions Of
the Peacock throne. After Dara's death
the emperor seized his brothers pos
sessions, including the Garland Of
Delight" and Gul Saffa. She was said
to have in her veins blood of the Hin
du Rajputs, the race long noted for
the beauty and chastity of it's women.
SO, when Aurangzeb demanded her,
she said she belonged to Dara and
asked on what grounds he claimed
her. The emperor replied that her
long tresses had bound him as in a
net. That night a messenger brought
a package to him, wherein lay coil
upon coil of perfumed hair. Again
the emperor sent back word that it
was the moon-like beauty of her face
that had enthralled him. Then the
girl took a knife and slashed her face
until it was hideous to look upon. She
wiped the blood from it with a cloth
and sent it to the emperor, as a sign
that nothing was left Of the beauty he
had desired. He never troubled Gul
SafTa again, who Dor died of grief for
her lover.
The native state of BarOda is close
to the Rum Of Clutch, and the state Of
1ndore had easy access to it. In it's
quiet twisting waterways lay rich
pearl oyster beds, which, in the old
days, were infested with pirates.
Doubtless the ancestors of the present
~highnesses of these states got their
share Of "frst pickings," since the
Maharaja Gaekwar of Baroda has the
largest collection of pearls in India.
although the handsome young Maha-
raja HOlkar of IndOre runs him q
close second. l sat near this ~resplen-
dent parsonage once at Il Royal Him
du wedding, close enough to hear n
pleasant little tinkling sound when he
moved, for he was wearing his "pearl
scarf" which ne values at a crore of
rupees ($3,3OO,OOO). 1t is composed of
nine strands of cream luster pearls as
large as marrowfat peas, that hang
from a thick pearl tassel over one
shoulder, across his chest to his hips.
scarf fashion. Eighteen great pearls.
each with a carat diamond set into it.
form the clasp of the neckpiece.
Think of the vandalism OF drilling
them! Maharaja Holkar has inherit
ed his fathers peacock turban. aUth-
er marvel of pearls. rubies. emeralds
| aud diamonds.