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| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Glitter of the Koh-i-noor Diamonds and other rare gems have fascinated humankind for many years. Perhaps, no other stone would have been as famous as the Koh-i-noor diamond of India.
Although some claim the exquisite Koh-i-noor (which means mountain of light) was discovered on a river bed in 3200BC, the first reliable evidence about it is in the writings of Babur, the founder of the Mogul Empire, who described the diamond as part of the treasures won by Ala-ud-deen (Aladdin) at the conquest of Matwah in 1304AD. The diamond, which is also referred to as the Great Mogul, was acquired by the Moguls in 1526. It was in the hands of Sultan Babar, the first Mogul Emperor. It is said to have passed through many rulers of the Mogul empire including Shah Jehan who built the Taj Mahal.
It's believed that the stone weighed 793 carats when it was discovered initially, but was reduced to 186 carats after it was carelessly cut and polished by a person named Borgio. Maharaja Ranjit Singh is said to have sported the Koh-i-noor on his turban. Nadir Shah of Persia got hold of the diamond in 1789 after his invasion of Delhi. There is an interesting story behind how he came to own the diamond. It is said that when the Mogul Emperor Mohammed Shah owned the Koh-i-noor, he always carried it with him, hidden inside his turban. When Nadir Shah invaded Delhi, he came to hear about this and devised a plan to get hold of the stone. After signing a peace treaty with the defeated Mogul Emperor, Nadir Shah reminded him that it was customary for kings to exchange their turbans as a sign of friendship. Mohammed Shah had no option, but to hand over his turban and the Persian came to possess the diamond. The Afghan king Ahmad Shah took possession of the diamond later.It is said that it disappeared mysteriously around 1665. After the British conquered India, the stone was reportedly taken to England around 1851 under the orders of Queen Victoria, the then ruler of Britain, to be displayed at an exhibition. After visitors to the exhibition were disappointed by the stone's lack of brilliance, it was re-cut under the orders of the Queen. The legendary gem now adorns the crown of Queen Elizabeth along with
2,800 other smaller diamonds, and resides at the Tower of London in the
company of the Royal Family's crown jewels. |
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