Fashionable women in Indian History.

[urmiladuhan]

(Photo: Personal Collection. Source: National Museum, New Delhi)

The above sculpture is of Queen Kelachchhadevi of Alwar (Rajasthan). This is a 12th century sculpture of the queen standing besides her husband (the king). In terms of the prevalent Indian fashion then, a knee length skirt with a short blouse (tight fitting) with no head covering veil, is noticed. As far as hair is concerner, women preferred to keep long hair (instead of short - we see that fashion of short hair in sanch stupa sculptures), neatly tied in a bun. The use of forehead bindi as a beautification idea had started as seen on the forehead of the queen. Fashionably acceptable hair parting was a centre parting of hair. People preferred to be without shoes whenever possible (No shoes on the king and queen).