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Glittering
Stones >> Kohinoor the legend
Koh-I-Noor the legend
Koh-I-Noor" means "Mountain of Light" in Persian.
The Koh-I-Noor could be spelled as Koh-I-Noor, or Kohinoor and
it is a 108 carat diamond. This diamond originated
in the subcontinent of India and belonged to various Indian and
Persian rulers at different points in its history. In 1851 the
diamond was given, in controversial circumstances,
to Queen Victoria and is currently in a crown of the British royal
family that belonged to the late Queen Mother. Like all significant
jewels, the Koh-I-Noor diamond has its share
of legends. This particular stone is reputed to bring misfortune
or death to any male who wears or owns it - a claim which its
history has, so far, not disproved. It is, by legend, worth the
amount of wealth generated around the whole world in seven days.
Origins and early history
Most sources agree that the Kohinoor was mined at Rayalaseema
in southern India. It is certain that the stone was
mined in India, as until fairly recently (1800s) India was the
only known place in the world where diamonds could
be found. Furthermore, no other provenance has ever been claimed,
and south Indian folklore is definite in claiming a local origin
for the stone.
However, the stone is surrounded with myth and
legend, and accurate records are hard to verify. The first historically
confirmable note mentioning the Kohinoor by an identifiable name
dates from 1526 AD. Babur, the first Mughals emperor, mentions
in his memoirs, the Baburnama and the gem
stone had belonged to an un-named Rajah of Malawi
in 1294. Apparently, this Rajah of Malawi was compelled to yield
his prized possession to Ala ud din Khilji; it was then owned
by a succession of dynasties that ruled the Delhi sultanate, finally
coming into the possession of Babur himself in 1526, following
his victory over the last ruler of that kingdom. However, the
Baburnama was written c.1526-30 AD; Babur's source for this information
is unknown, and he may have been recounting the hearsay of his
day.
According to one legend, the diamond
was mined at the Rayalaseema diamond mines during
the rule of the Cavatina dynasty and was first possessed by them.
However, its soon-to-be-notorious ill-luck made an early appearance;
the Cavatina kingdom under Plataea Radar was ravaged in 1323 AD
by Muhammad bin Tugaloo, who spent a major part of his life in
the Deccan, and the diamond passed into his possession.
From then onwards, the stone passed through the hands of successive
rulers of the Delhi sultanate, finally passing to Babur in 1526
AD.
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