The tikli or spangle is worn in the Hindustāni Districts and not in the south. It consists of a small piece of lac over which is smeared vermilion, while above it a piece of mica or thin glass is fixed for ornament. Other adornments may be added, and women from Rājputāna, such as the Mārwāri Banias and Banjāras, wear large spangles set in gold with a border of jewels if they can afford it. The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, 1916. [X]
AKA stick on bindis have a bit of a history. Bindi illustrations of 1916 in Pic 1 are quite varied and interesting.
The extract described one method of making bindis/tiklis/tikka before the ubiquitous stick-on glitter bindi packets of today. These tiklis served as a substitute for sindoor or vermilion in marriage ceremonies though both could be used. Pic 1 is from the text and illustrates the kinds of tiklis that could be achieved with the method described, given the lac base I assume these were then stuck on in some manner. Pics 2 and 3 (2 from the1950s and 3 contemporary) are probably made by a similar method or approximate the 1916 tiklis.
Vintage Indian Clothing 
Wow! Interesting. I always wondered what came before the stick tikli! Am from the West and South where the kumkum is what existed before the stick on. Or that paint that came in a small bottle with an applicator! I remember those from my childhood. But I married a Rajasthani and have worn the stick on version of these tiklis ever since!
Yes it was quite interesting! The book does say that the tiklis are not worn in the South but are common in the Central and Western provinces. I think elsewhere it was sindoor or kumkum or maybe other pastes or liquids.