This heavy metal bracelet comes from India. Bracelets like this were traditionally worn by married women who were supposed to wear bracelets or bangles on their wrists at all times to signify that they were married. In this way they are similar to wedding rings in Western traditions.
In the old days they used to be very strict, and [women were] not allowed to remarry. Widows had to live a very simple life. Now things are changing a lot…. Now you can’t even identify who’s married or not…. People are more educated.
So many expatriates worked for the East India Company. When they left they were given gifts. They didn’t know what to do with them. [This is the kind of thing people might have been given as a leaving gift].
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In the old days they used to be very strict, and [women were] not allowed to remarry. Widows had to live a very simple life. Now things are changing a lot…. Now you can’t even identify who’s married or not…. People are more educated.
So does that mean if they’re widowed, they would be able to remove them – is that permitted?
That’s true.
It reminds me of a shell. They’re very heavy. I’ve heard that when women are married they’re not allowed to take them off.
[They’re called] kangan…. Because of the shape… [I can tell they’re] mainly from Jaipur and nearby areas… in Rajasthan.
So many expatriates worked for the East India Company. When they left they were given gifts. They didn’t know what to do with them. [This is the kind of thing people might have been given as a leaving gift].