History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s2.4

v1.c34.s2.4

*Head Ornaments*: During the Gupta age, the Kirita was a well known head ornament for the kings (Kālidāsa, *Raghu*, VI). The gems, *cūḍāmaṇi* and *makarika* (crocodile shaped jewel) were commonly worn by the ladies on the parting of the hair, the former at the back end and the latter on top of the head (Sivaramamurti, 1956). The ornament, *cūḍāmaṇi* was shaped like a full-blown lotus with petals, all composed of pearls and precious stones. The ornaments, like the *ratnajāla* (jewel festoons) and *muktajāla* (pearl festoons) woven in the hair of the ladies, are mentioned by Kālidāsa (*Raghu*, IX). This type of ornaments are noticed in the wall paintings of Ajanta and Bagh.