Our story begins in 1869, when Cotha Krishniah Chetty, sensing the opportunities that existed, decided to start a small enterprise in Bangalore. It was indeed foresight on the part of our founder to establish a fine jewellery business in the heart of the then British Cantonment. This jewellery house would compete with the jewellers of London, collaborate with them and learn from their stringent standards.

Expanding on the vision of his father, Cotha Audinarayana Chetty forged alliances with Mappin & Webb of London and became an importer from The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company of London, and Rolex of Switzerland who custom-made diamond-set gold wrist watches, with the dial specially imprinted with the name of C. Krishniah Chetty. A component of the original stock is still held by the company to this day.

Commissions of the day included precious metal and gem-encrusted swords, infantry head gear, breast­-plates, life-size caskets depicting the geography and customs of the client (mostly royal houses of South and Central India), life size perambulators, thrones, awards for gallantry and contributions to the kingdom, precious metal doors, and more.

Clients of the day spanned over 20 kingdoms. In addition to being appointed jewellers to the Royal House of His Highness, The Maharaja of Mysore, C. Krishniah Chetty Group counted among its distinguished patrons The Maharaja of travancore, The Maharaja of Sandur, The Nawab of Savanur, The Nizam of Hyderabad, The Maharaja of Dhranghadra, The Maharaja of Gondal, the Maharaja of Dharampur, and many more Royal Houses