Pockets imitating the circular openings of European watch-pockets enjoyed a fashion in northern India during the second half of the nineteenth century, and are seen in all sorts of male coats and jackets. It has even been suggested that the shape has some religious significance, the crescent moon being a symbol of Islam. However, it is much more likely that this attractive detail owes its popularity in India to the strong influence of European styles on formal male dress. The rest of the coat is in the style of a northern Indian closely fitted coat such as the achkan or its close relative the chapkan, both of which button down the front.