There’s a famous quote by William Shakespeare: “The earth has music for those who listen.” This beautifully illustrates how, generation after generation, those who truly “listen” continue to find beauty in the same things.
My initial inspiration for the MĪRĀS Collection came from a pair of earrings (circa 1950s) that I inherited from my grandmother. They featured delicate peepal leaves dangling in pairs (read more here). To my surprise and delight, I later discovered that this very leaf has been a source of inspiration for countless civilizations over thousands of years.
When I began researching the craft of Peepal Patti, which originates from Patiala, Punjab, I found very few historical references. Although the craft dates back to the 1800s and continues to thrive today - especially in Punjabi households during weddings and other special occasions - I was disappointed to see how little had been written about its origins online.
In some ways, this gap became a challenge for me. I wanted to go beyond appreciating the beauty of the craft and uncover the deeper significance of the peepal tree itself. And that’s when I struck gold.
Baloch bowl, from the Sohr Damb site, dated from 3000 BCE
The Peepal tree, also known as the Sacred Fig, has flourished in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years - over 5,000, as evidenced by the bowl dating back to 3000 BCE on display at the British Museum (image above).
While the tree is renowned for its many medicinal properties that have been used for centuries, it is most deeply revered for its spiritual significance in both Hinduism and Buddhism. In fact, it is believed that Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree, making it a universal symbol of wisdom, enlightenment, and peace.
The distinctive beauty of the Peepal leaf - with its elegant, inverted-heart shape - has captured the imagination of countless generations and appeared in diverse forms of art over time. During my research, I also came across the fascinating tradition of painting on dried Peepal leaves, a craft that originated in Kerala and continues to thrive today. Interestingly, historical references suggest that similar practices once existed in China as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed going down this historical rabbit hole - tracing the significance and beauty of the Peepal leaf as it has been admired by generations. Eventually, though, my journey led me back to jewelry, where I discovered Maharani Jind Kaur, the Queen of Punjab and wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Maharani Jind Kaur, Queen of Punjab mid 1800s
While I was only vaguely familiar with her story before, my research into her life invigorated me on an entirely new level. I’ll save that story for another day, but it was through Maharani Jind Kaur that I finally uncovered what I had been searching for over weeks - stunning historical Peepal Patti jewelry pieces, owned and worn by the Queen herself.
Discovering these two jewelry pieces - recently auctioned in London and originally owned by the Queen, dating back to the early to mid-1800s - was a moment of true validation for me. It not only reaffirmed my inspiration but also reignited my desire to revive this craft and share its story.
Antique pieces belonging to Maharani Jind Kaur, circa mid to late 1800s
While I deeply love the Peepal Patti craft in its original form and will always treasure the traditional pieces I’ve inherited, my historical journey made something very clear: the beauty of this leaf needed to be reimagined for a new generation. Traditional versions will continue to shine at weddings and baby showers, but the soul of the Peepal leaf deserves to live beyond special occasions - woven into daily life through designs that blend seamlessly with today’s style, while still carrying the richness of it's history and legacy.
Serendipity of a Peepal tree at our Mīrās Collection shoot location - July 2025
