There are many ‘Diamonds’ from historical times that have never ceased to amaze people because of the stories associated with them. Stories, especially of ill luck, death, destruction, war, misfortune for the owners who used such diamonds as jewels have always excited and captivated the imaginations of people for centuries. We bring here in this column, stories of a few such ‘diamonds’ that might interest you as well…
A few months ago, we had featured in our News Column about the British MP’s demand for the Kohinoor diamond to be returned to India, which had evinced keen interest among readers. Here, we bring some fascinating facts about the Kohinoor diamond that is passionately discussed and debated until today, as to who is the rightful owner of this famous diamond.
Considered the largest and most famous diamond in the world, no other diamond has created such immense controversies, excitement and interest than Kohinoor. While some claim that it was found about 5000 years ago, we shall here, for brevity sake, trace its origin and journey from a few hundred years ago.
History has it that wars were fought, treasures looted, defeated kings were blinded to possess this stone, which has garnered a track record that speaks of power, pride, greed, havoc, murders, happiness, achievement and so on and so forth…passing through the powerful rulers of the world and eventually becoming a trophy of Wars!
Kohinoor was the aspired diamond, which passed through numerous kings/emperors of different geographical only to finally become a part of the British Crown Jewels, when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1877, and continuous to remain there until today.
Skipping many mythological as well as historical information on Kohinoor’s origin, let us start from the time the original stone was in India for more than 300 years, in the traditional Indian rose cut form. Authentic historical records indicate that Kohinoor was discovered several centuries ago at Kollur village diamond mines near Paritala on Krishna River bank or present day Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, a State in the south of India. From here, it was transported to Golconda diamond marketing centre where it changed hands into several ruling kings until it was carted away by a looter to Delhi in year 1332, after a devastating war.
Again, Kohinoor went from ruler to ruler and among many others, the Moghuls were owners of the stone for many centuries; followed by the Nadir Shah, King of Persia; and later Sikh King of Punjab Ranjit Singh of Lahore and his son Duleep Singh, the last Indian owner of the stone. When mutiny broke out in 1849 between two Sikh regiments, Britain proclaimed Punjab as part of British Empire in India and confiscated the entire Punjab treasury along with Kohinoor and shifted it to London.
Kohinoor’s voyage to London from India was said to be wrought with hurdles… right from crossing tough terrains, forests, and even the sea voyage was anything but normal... Gale, cholera etc., so much so that as it was a war trophy, ‘bad luck’ was attributed to the stone. Queen Victoria however retained Kohinoor and in 1853, it was mounted on the tiara along with 2000 other diamonds.
Some analysts point out that though ‘ill fortune’ fell on men who owned and wore Kohinoor, it brought fame and good luck to women owners, from Queen Victoria to Queen Alexandria and later Queen Mary, after which the stone was set in the Maltese Cross on front of the crown made for Queen Elizabeth, where it remains today, in all its grandeur!
An interesting fact of the Kohinoor diamond’s weight and the transformation it went through is worth knowing. It is said that the original weight was 793 carat, but was cut and recut several times through history. During the Moghul period, the stone was subjected to several alterations, recut to 186 carat ‘Moghul-style cut.’ When exhibited in Hyde Park, London in 1851, the famous gemstone was in typical Oriental Indian style multifaceted rosette of 186 carat… a disappointment to the English people, as it was not the brilliant cut they were familiar with, that reflects more light. Queen Victoria got it recut again in 1862 into a shallow brilliant form by Messer Coster Company, amidst a lot of criticism and public protest. It is said that the re-cutting took place in just thirty-eight days at a cost of 8000 pounds. The final brilliant cut diamond weighed a mere 108.93 carat. But, in 1992, the new HM office publication on the British Crown Jewels gave the revised weight as 105.602 carat measuring 36 x 31.9 x 13.04 mm in size. Today, Kohinoor is the personal property of the English Royal Family. The stone was valued at 100,000 pounds at that time.
When India got its independence in 1947, Sir C.V.Raman, renowned scientist and Nobel Laureate, keeping the strong sentiments of the people of India, said that Independence was not complete without getting back the Kohinoor. Following this, many claims and counter-claims followed from all quarters, right from India, Iran and Pakistan. In 1953, the Indian government tried to get Kohinoor back but in vain. Though claims from all other countries came forth, most people in the world agreed that India’s claim was the most valid because the stone was originally mined from Kollur in Southern India and therefore should go back to India. Interestingly, as late as year 2000, Kuldip Nayar, the upper house member and former High Commissioner to Britain presented a motion in parliament for the return of Kohinoor, as it was taken by force from Maharaja Duleep Singh of Punjab.
Status quo….?
The Kohinoor now sits in a glass display case guarded by British security persons in the basement of the ‘Jewel House’ of the Tower of London for public to see, for a fee!
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished
Courtesy: Data and images extracted from Dr. T.M. Babu’s book “GLORIOUS INDIAN DIAMONDS” (published by D.K. Printworld (P) Ltd) with Dr. Babu’s permission.
Dr. Babu, who is an exploration geologist (babutm@hotmail.com), is associated with GSI and several international organizations. He wrote books on diamonds, platinum, tin and has also co-authored the book “Mining and Metal Production Through Ages” published by British Museum, London.
