Procession of Ram Singh II of Kota, c. 1850 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Turban Ornament: Gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphire, pearl. Credit: Turban Ornament, 1750-1755 ©

Golden Throne: Wood, resin, gold. Credit: Golden Throne, c. 1820 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Patiala Necklace by Cartier, 1928 (reconstructed 2002): Platinum, diamonds, yellow zirconias, white zirconias, topazes, synthetic rubies, smoky quartz, citrine. Credit: Nick Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier

Wine Flask: Jade, rubies, emeralds, gold, silver. Credit: Wine Flask, Mughal Court, 1600-1625, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Tamburi: Painted wood, ivory. Credit: Tamburi (stringed instrument), 1800-1900 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Gaddi: Velvet, silk, and metallic threads. Credit: Gaddi, about 1850 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Sword, about 1800 (detail). © V&A Images / Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Sword and Scabbard: Steel, gold, diamonds, emeralds, rubies. Credit: Sword, c. 1800 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Helmet: Steel, gold. Credit: Helmet, 1780-1799 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Suit of Armor: Layers of hemp, velvet, gilded brass, silk. Credit: Suit of armor, 1700-1800 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

"Maharaja: The Splendor of India's Royal Courts," opening Oct. 17 at the Field Museum, offers visitors a detailed look into the world of Indian rulers from the 1700s to the 1940s, when India achieved independence from colonial Britain.

Sari: Silk brocade with gold thread. Credit: Sari, 1850 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Man’s Robe: Silk brocade with gold thread. Credit: Man's Robe (Angarakha), 1830-70 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Procession of Rulers of the Kingdom of Tanjore: Varnished opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Credit: Procession of Amar Singh and Serfoji II of Tanjore, c. 1797 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Ladies Listening to Music at Night: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Credit: Ladies Listening to Music at Night, Deccan, 1700-1800 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The Ruler of Mewar Hunting Boar: Opaque watercolor on paper. Credit: Jawan Singh of Mewar Hunting Boar, c. 1835 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Amar Singh I Makes a Submission to Prince Khurram: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Credit: Amar Singh I Makes a Submission to Prince Khurram, 1615-1618 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The Heroic Death in Battle of Rani Durgavati: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Credit: Rani Durgavati’s Death, 1590-1595 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Lady Combing Her Hair: Opaque watercolor on paper. Credit: Lady Combing Her Hair, Jaipur, c. 1790 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Bhupinder Singh, Ruler of Patiala, 1911: Modern photographic print from an original negative. Credit: Image © National Portrait Gallery, London