Once upon a time, a diamond of unparalleled beauty and size emerged in the heart of the Golconda mines of India. Known as the Kohinoor, meaning "Mountain of Light" in Persian, this legendary gemstone has been the subject of myths, wars, and intrigue for centuries. Its tale spans continents and dynasties, intertwining with the rise and fall of empires.
The Birthplace of Kohinoor Diamond
The origins of the Kohinoor trace back to the 13th century in southern India during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty. Nestled in the Kollur mines of Golconda (present-day Andhra Pradesh, India), the diamond was originally uncut and weighed an astonishing 793 carats. Local lore proclaimed it to be a gift from the gods, possessing an aura so dazzling that it was said to blind anyone who gazed at it directly. Historical accounts suggest that it adorned a deity in a Hindu temple, symbolizing divine power and protection.
The Diamond of Dynasties
From the Kakatiya Dynasty to the Delhi Sultanate
The Kohinoor was seized from the Kakatiya dynasty by Alauddin Khalji, a powerful ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, during his conquest of the Deccan in the early 14th century. The Khaljis were known for their wealth and military conquests, and the Kohinoor became a prized part of their treasure.
From the Delhi Sultanate to the Mughal Dynasty
By the early 16th century, the Delhi Sultanate was in decline, paving the way for the rise of the Mughal Empire under Babur. The Kohinoor entered the possession of the Mughals, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. It is speculated that the diamond was either taken during Babur’s conquests or gifted by a regional ruler seeking favor. The great emperor Babur mentioned it in his memoirs, calling it a gem "worth the value of half the daily expense of the whole world." Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, had it placed on his legendary Peacock Throne, which dazzled courtiers and visitors alike.
From the Mughal Dynasty to the Persian Nader Shah
The Kohinoor was not destined to remain in Mughal hands. One of the most dramatic episodes in Kohinoor’s history unfolded in 1739 when Nader Shah of Persia invaded Delhi. After defeating the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, Nader Shah looted the famed Peacock Throne, where the Kohinoor was embedded alongside other priceless gems.
Legend has it that Muhammad Shah tried to hide the diamond in his turban, hoping it would escape Nader Shah’s notice. However, cunning and perceptive Nader Shah proposed a gesture of goodwill: a ceremonial exchange of turbans. Reluctantly, Muhammad Shah complied, unwittingly handing over the Kohinoor. Upon examining his new turban, Nader Shah discovered the diamond and exclaimed, "Koh-i-Noor!" ("Mountain of Light"), giving the gem its eternal name.
From Nader Shah to the Durrani Empire
The Kohinoor’s journey didn’t stop with Persia. After Nader Shah’s assassination in 1747, it passed into the possession of his former general, Ahmad Shah Durrani, who founded the Afghan Durrani Empire.
From the Durrani Empire to the Sikh Empire
The Kohinoor’s journey to India resumed during the reign of Shuja Shah Durrani, an Afghan king who lost his throne due to internal rebellion. Shuja sought refuge in Punjab under the protection of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the powerful ruler of the Sikh Empire.
In exchange for military support to reclaim his throne, Shuja Shah handed the Kohinoor to Ranjit Singh in 1813. Singh, a formidable leader, brought the diamond back to India, where it symbolized Sikh sovereignty and strength.
From the Sikh Empire to the British Crown
After Maharaja Ranjit's death, the British annexed Punjab in 1849, forcing his heir, the young Maharaja Duleep Singh, to sign the Treaty of Lahore. As part of the treaty, the Kohinoor was ceded to Queen Victoria. Duleep Singh, then a mere boy, was exiled to Britain, where he lived a life of quiet despair. He grew up estranged from his heritage, yearning to return to his homeland and reclaim his identity. The Kohinoor’s departure from Punjab remains a poignant chapter symbolizing the loss of sovereignty and cultural pride.
The Crown Jewel
Upon reaching England, the Kohinoor was displayed at the Great Exhibition of 1851 but failed to impress due to its dull appearance. Seeking to enhance its brilliance, the British recut the diamond, reducing its size to 105.6 carats but amplifying its fire and sparkle. It was set into the crown of Queen Victoria and later became a central piece of the British Crown Jewels.
The Mystique and Controversy
One of the most enduring legends surrounding the Kohinoor is the ominous curse believed to accompany it. According to folklore, the diamond brings good fortune to women who possess it, but men are doomed to misery and ruin. History seems to lend credence to this tale: many male rulers who owned the Kohinoor met tragic ends. From Mughal emperors to Persian invaders, Afghan kings to Sikh rulers, each seemed to suffer a fall from grace after acquiring the gemstone.
This belief was so ingrained that Queen Victoria, after receiving the diamond in 1850, ensured it was worn exclusively by women in the British royal family. To this day, the Kohinoor is only set in crowns worn by queens or queen consorts, avoiding any male connection to the cursed gem.
The Debate Over Its Return
Today, the Kohinoor rests in the Tower of London, set in the crown of the late Queen Mother. Its presence, however, remains controversial. India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have all staked claims to the diamond, each presenting historical evidence to support their case. For India, the Kohinoor is a poignant symbol of colonial plunder, representing the riches siphoned off during British rule.
In 2016, during a legal battle over Kohinoor’s return, the Indian government asserted that the diamond had been "gifted" to the British. This claim sparked outrage among historians and citizens alike, as many believed the Kohinoor was taken under duress. The debate continues to this day, reflecting the diamond’s enduring power as a cultural and historical touchstone.
The Legacy of the Kohinoor
Today, the Kohinoor remains a global symbol of power, beauty, and contention. Its journey from the depths of an Indian mine to the apex of British royalty mirrors the turbulent history of empires. As debates over its ownership persist, the Kohinoor continues to captivate the world, embodying the complexities of heritage, history, and identity.
And so, the tale of the Kohinoor—a diamond that has illuminated the pages of history—remains unfinished, its story as timeless as the gemstone itself.
AUTHOR
Pratha Editorial Team
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