History of Indian nose rings and their importance

Nose rings have been used by people all over the world for over two thousand years. They have always been an integral part of Indian culture since centuries. However, this history of nose rings in India is not as old as it is in other parts of the world such as Africa and the Middle East. Unlike assumed by many, nose rings were not a part of Indian culture till the beginning of the 16^th century. The arrival of the Moghuls in India brought along with it many changes. In addition to bringing the art of Kundan jewelry making to India, Mughals have also been credited with introducing Indian nose rings to the people of the country.

The Indian nose rings used were not in the form of small hoops, but were flat and had ornamental designs. They were provided with a screw which could hold the rings in place. While nose rings made of gold were the most preferred, the ones that were studded with diamonds also grew in popularity. There are other metals such as nickel, titanium, stainless steel and niobium that are used to make nose rings today.

Though Indian nose rings were introduced to the country by Muslim rulers, the Hindu women embraced the concept with open hands. A larger number of Hindu women in the country wear nose rings as compared to their Muslim counterparts. Today, Hindu women get their nose pierced at a very young age to appease Goddess Parvati, who is considered to be the Goddess of prosperity and marriage. Once the women get their nose pierced, they continue to use the nose rings till the demise of their husband.

There are many non-piercing Indian nose rings available as well today are not made using precious metals. These rings are preferred by teenage girls who would like to experiment with their looks.