An Abridged History of The World's Most Famous Diamond: The Kohinoor

I'm sure you've heard of the Kohinoor diamond, but you may not have heard about its complicated history. Though there are differing theories of it's origin, many believe the original diamond weighing 191 carats, was presented to Shah Jahan after being found in the mines near the Krishna River. He encrusted the diamond in his legendary peacock throne, which took 7 years to make and cost 4 times as much as the Taj Mahal. 

The throne and hence the diamond was part of the loot Nader Shah of Iran captured when he invaded Delhi in 1739. It got passed onto his general, and it was eventually surrendered to Sikh Ruler Ranjit Singh years later - who valued it more as a symbol of power than for it's beauty. 

After his death though, the Punjab crown passed through 4 different rulers over 4 years, finally landing on the head of a 10 year old boy, Duleep Singh. In 1849 after imprisoning his mother, the British forced the boy to sign a legal document allowing them to annex Punjab and claim the Kohi-i-Noor. 

It eventually become one of the crown jewels of Queen Victoria, and was recut by the royal jeweller to 105.6 carats to enhance its brilliance, after which it became the central stone in Queen Elizabeth's state crown.

Though the diamond is admittedly breathtaking, what is more interesting to me is it's significance. It has been a symbol of power across religions, continents, and rulers for centuries - holding the Kohinoor has been synonymous with controlling the subcontinent. I can't think of a single other stone that has wielded such influence in the world today.