The Koh-i-noor DiamondA courtesan had told Nadir Shah that the priceless diamond hidden in Mohammed Shah's turban. Citing an ancient tradition, the victor demanded an exchange of headgear. At last the diamond was his. Or was it? Hastily he undud the folds... Wonderstruck at the gem's size, brilliance and beauty, he exclaimed, 'Koh-i-noor'! 1739: the gem now had a name. One fabulous diamond whose value could feed the entire world for two-and-a-half days. Four race: Indian, Afghan, Persian and English, whose destinies were inextrcably involved with this gem. A Persian oilman's son who went on to virtually rule Golconda and its vast diamond mines. A Mughal prince, hated by history, who was sinned against as much as sinning. Only an Indian or Persian couild tell this great story with all its nuances. |
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Afghan Afghanistan Agra Ahmad Ahmadnagar Akbar arrived artillery asked assassinated Aurangzeb Babur Babur’s diamond Bairam Beg Barakzai battle Begum Bijapur British brother camp capital carats chief citadel court crown Dalhousie Dalip Singh Dara Shikoh death Deccan Delhi Dost Mohammed dynasty elephants Emperor enemy English famous father feared fortress Golconda governor Gwalior hand harem Herat Hindu honour horsemen Humayun imperial India Ispahan Jahangir Jaswant jewels Jumla Kabul Kamran Kandahar Kashmir Kaur Khurram kilometres king Koh-i-noor Lahore later Login London magnificent Maharaja Mahmud Marathas Meanwhile minister Mir Jumla Mirza Mohammed Khan Mohammed Shah Murad Baksh Muslim Nadir Shah officers ordered palace Persian Peshawar precious stones prince province Punjab Queen Raja Rajputs Ranjit Singh rupees Saadat Khan Safavid Samarkand sent Shah Jahan Shah of Persia Shah Shuja Shah’s Sher Sikh soldiers sovereign successor Sultan sword Tahmasp Tavernier thousand throne Timur took treasure troops turban viceroy Zaman Shah