The Kohinoor is one of the oldest and most controversial diamonds in the world. The history of this diamond dates back to more than 5,000 years ago. The Koh-i-noor is a Persian name which means "Mountain of Light".
And below you will find some interesting facts and timeline for this exquisite diamond.
1). Originally the largest diamond in the world.
Back when it was found, it was a 793 carats diamond when uncut and the largest diamond the world has ever known. But its weight has reduced over time as it passed from one hand to another. And now it is 105.6 carats, weighing just 21.6 grams.
2). The Kohinoor is cursed.
In 1306, in a Hindi writing, a curse is placed on the men who will wear the diamond: "He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all his misfortunes. Only God, or a woman can wear it with impunity."
3). It was discovered in the southern part of India.
In the Golconda region of Andhra Pradesh, Kohinoor's first presence war reported. Back then it was reigned by the Kakatiya Dynasty.
4). Mahlak Deo was the very first owner of Kohinoor.
Mahlak Deo was a Malwa Raja during the reign of Kakatiya Dynasty, and up until 1304 the diamond remained in the possession of the Rajas of Malwa. But back then the diamond was still not named Kohinoor.
5). In the 14th century it slipped to the Khilji Dynasty.
One of the governor generals in the Khilji Dynasty raided the Southern parts of India and the priceless diamond was transferred to Malik Kafur Khilji.
6). Then the Noor of the Mughals.
According to the Babur Nama Records, Raja Bikramjit of Gwalior sent all his jewels to the Agra Fort for safekeeping. But after the battle of Panipath in 1526, when Babur successfully invaded the fort, the 186 carat diamond was presented to it as a Peshkash or a Tribute.
7). Kohinoor was then called "Babur's diamond".
After the diamond was included in the Babur Nama, it was passed to his successors as the royal legacy. From Babur to Aurangzeb,it eventually passed down to another descendent, Mahamad, the grandson of Aurangzeb.
8). It was named Kohinoor by Nadir.
Around 1739, Sultan Mahamad lost a battle to the Persian General Nadir Shah and surrendered the diamond to him. And he gave the diamond, its ultimate name "Koh-i-noor". But Nadir Shah did not live long, he was assassinated while asleep in 1747. So it was gifted to Ahmed Abdali, one of his Generals.
9). Then Punjab Got hold of the diamond.
The diamond was passed down from Ahmed Abdali to his son Timur, on whose demise the diamond was concealed by his son Zaman Shah and his brother Shah Shuja and they escaped to Lahore.
And finally the diamond was transferred to the Sikh Ruler Maharana Ranjit Singh and after that to the next Maharana, Duleep Singh.
10). Finally made its way to the royal family of United Kingdom.
In 1849 Punjab was annexed by The British when the Britishers defeated the Maharaja, and the Sikh property was confiscated. Kohinoor was transferred to the treasury of the British East India Company in Lahore. And finally handed to Queen Victoria in July 1850.
Today, the diamond is set in the front of Queen Mother's Crown, part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and is seen by millions of visitors to the tower of London, each year.
Many nations including India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have claimed their ownership over the stone but the British government insists that Kohinoor was undertaken by them legally.
And below you will find some interesting facts and timeline for this exquisite diamond.
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| Credit: indianexpress |
Back when it was found, it was a 793 carats diamond when uncut and the largest diamond the world has ever known. But its weight has reduced over time as it passed from one hand to another. And now it is 105.6 carats, weighing just 21.6 grams.
2). The Kohinoor is cursed.
In 1306, in a Hindi writing, a curse is placed on the men who will wear the diamond: "He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all his misfortunes. Only God, or a woman can wear it with impunity."
3). It was discovered in the southern part of India.
In the Golconda region of Andhra Pradesh, Kohinoor's first presence war reported. Back then it was reigned by the Kakatiya Dynasty.
4). Mahlak Deo was the very first owner of Kohinoor.
Mahlak Deo was a Malwa Raja during the reign of Kakatiya Dynasty, and up until 1304 the diamond remained in the possession of the Rajas of Malwa. But back then the diamond was still not named Kohinoor.
5). In the 14th century it slipped to the Khilji Dynasty.
One of the governor generals in the Khilji Dynasty raided the Southern parts of India and the priceless diamond was transferred to Malik Kafur Khilji.
6). Then the Noor of the Mughals.
According to the Babur Nama Records, Raja Bikramjit of Gwalior sent all his jewels to the Agra Fort for safekeeping. But after the battle of Panipath in 1526, when Babur successfully invaded the fort, the 186 carat diamond was presented to it as a Peshkash or a Tribute.
7). Kohinoor was then called "Babur's diamond".
After the diamond was included in the Babur Nama, it was passed to his successors as the royal legacy. From Babur to Aurangzeb,it eventually passed down to another descendent, Mahamad, the grandson of Aurangzeb.
8). It was named Kohinoor by Nadir.
Around 1739, Sultan Mahamad lost a battle to the Persian General Nadir Shah and surrendered the diamond to him. And he gave the diamond, its ultimate name "Koh-i-noor". But Nadir Shah did not live long, he was assassinated while asleep in 1747. So it was gifted to Ahmed Abdali, one of his Generals.
9). Then Punjab Got hold of the diamond.
The diamond was passed down from Ahmed Abdali to his son Timur, on whose demise the diamond was concealed by his son Zaman Shah and his brother Shah Shuja and they escaped to Lahore.
And finally the diamond was transferred to the Sikh Ruler Maharana Ranjit Singh and after that to the next Maharana, Duleep Singh.
10). Finally made its way to the royal family of United Kingdom.
In 1849 Punjab was annexed by The British when the Britishers defeated the Maharaja, and the Sikh property was confiscated. Kohinoor was transferred to the treasury of the British East India Company in Lahore. And finally handed to Queen Victoria in July 1850.
Today, the diamond is set in the front of Queen Mother's Crown, part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and is seen by millions of visitors to the tower of London, each year.
Many nations including India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan have claimed their ownership over the stone but the British government insists that Kohinoor was undertaken by them legally.
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