A jade-hilted dagger such as this was considered an object of luxury in India and was probably commissioned by a wealthy patron. This hilt is overlaid with a design of gilt-metal flowers and leaves. The use of jade within India increased during the reign of Alamgir (r.1658– 1707) after trade routes into modern-day Hotan in China became accessible to the Mughal court. Jade has been traded in Hotan since 5000 BC.