The Ordway new era., 1920-07-23
ure, are no myth, but just plain fact.
The Delhi Loot

The Delhi Loot.
The Nawab of Bahawalpur owns
portion of what is known as the Del
hi loot" which. as whole. once CON
stltuted the Mogul emperOrs' crown
jewels, iilched by them in turn from
the Hindus and their ancient temples.
So 1t was fitting that some should have
found their way back. History re-
cords that every gem in the almost
fabulous collection has been figura-
lively. II not literally. drenched in
blood. There are ornaments for the
front OF turbans: caps to cover the
head fashioned entirely Of Jewels, with
Just enough gold fligree to hold them
In place; ropes of pearls. rubies and
emeraids; numberless rings, bracelets
| and ankiets for women. There is
wonderful diamond necklace called
the Garland of Delight" the largest
stone of which measures one and one
quarter inches In diameter.
The "Gnriand of Delight" has
blazed an fmperIshable trail through
the history of eastern romance. which
Is ever akin to tragedy. 1t was worn
secretly for brief span by Gul Snfra,
the white Rose" beautiful dancing
girl whose story bears repeating. She
was the mistress of Dara. who was
brother OF Emperor AurangzeL, the
Inst of the four great Moguls. Dara
and Aurangzeb. sons of Shah Jahan.
were both ambitious to sit on the Pea
cock throne. But Aurang2eb. nick.
named the white Snake" because he
was born with n curiously white skin.
after he had removed all obstacles. in
Guiding his brother. managed eventual
ly to coll 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 Snffa. She was said
to have In her veins blood of the Hin
du Rajputs. the race long noted for
the beauty and chastity of Its women.
So. when AuranEZeb demanded her.
she said she belonged to Dara and
her. The emperor replied that her
long tresses had bound him ms in
net. That night messenger brought
package To him. wherein lay coil
upon coil OF perfumed hair Again
the emperor sent back word that IL
was the moon-iike beauty of her face
that had enthralled him. Then the
girl took knife and slashed her face
until II was hideous to look upon. She
wiped the blood from IL with n cloth
and sent II to the emperor. as n sign
that nothing was left of the beauty he
had desired. He never troubled Gut
Saffn again. who soon died Of grief for
her lover.
The native state OF Baroda is close
to the Rum of Clutch. and the state of
Indore had easy access to il. In Its
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 first pickings," since the
MaharaJa Gaekwar of Baroda has the
largest collection of pearls In lndin.
although the hnndsone young Mnha-
rain Holkar of Indore runs him
close second. sat near this resplen-
dent personage once at Royal Hin
du wedding, close enough TO hear u
pleasant little tinkiing sound when he
moved, for he wns wearing his pearl
scnrf," which he values at crore of
rupees (s3.300.O0O). II Is composed of
nine strands of cream luster pearls as
large as marrowfnt peas. that hang
from thick pearl tassei over one
shoulder. across his chest to his hips,
scarf fashion. Eighteen great pearls.
ench with n carnt diamond set into II,
form the clasp Of the neckpiece.
Think of the vandalism of drilling
them! Mnhnrnja Holknr has Inherit
ed his fathers peacock turban. anoth-
er marvel Of pearls. rub,es. emernlds
und diamonds