India / Hyderabad / Shopping

Hyderabad conjures up images traditional finery - rich clothes and exquisite jewelry - the legacy of the Nawabs, who where connoisseurs of such adornment. Interestingly, it is the traders in the quaint by lanes around the city’s most symbolic edifice, Charminar, that stock fine jewels, silks, brocades, perfumes and objects of art. Here one shop for beautiful jewelry - antique and kundan and enamel ornaments, temple sarees, oldriware and pearls. The snug shops in Bazaar spill over with glass bangles,sequins braids and fine embroidery executed in gold thread.

The country does not only boasts crafts that are unique to the city, but is also a center for handicrafts from around the state. There are bargains to be had at Charkaman, Mitti-ka-Sher and Lad Bazaar. They include, hookahs, boxes, jewelry made jet black gun metal which are inlaid with silver wire indelicate floral and geometric designs; appliqued patch-work skirts, bags belts with sparkling mirrors and tiny beads, by the Banjara and Lambadi gypsies; Nirmal lacquerware, brass from Pembarthi, Kondapalli carved toys, leather uppets and Warangal carpets. A shopper’s light all the way!

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