Shah Jahan’s archery ring

Shah Jahan (1628 -1658) wore this ring, made with gold, diamonds, 21 rubies and 14 emeralds, on his right thumb, to protect it when pulling a bowstring. The diamond at the centre is six carats. The ring was among the treasures looted by the army of Nadir Shah of Iran (1736-47), when they attacked the Mughal empire in 1739. Some of the items, including this ring, were presented, in a diplomatic gesture, to the Tsarina Elizabeth Petrovna of Russia in 1741.

On view at the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.