The Reality of the Kohinoor Diamond

Brief Summary

This video talks about the journey of the Kohinoor diamond, starting from its origin in India to its current place in the British Crown Jewels. It discusses the various rulers and empires that possessed the diamond, the legends and superstitions associated with it, and the ongoing efforts to bring it back to India. The video also touches upon the legal and political challenges involved in reclaiming the Kohinoor.

• The Kohinoor originated in the Golconda region of India.
• Many rulers and empires possessed the diamond, each facing their own misfortunes.
• The British acquired the Kohinoor through the Treaty of Lahore.
• There are ongoing efforts and legal battles to bring the Kohinoor back to India.
• Superstitions and stories of misfortune are associated with the diamond.

Introduction: The Enigmatic Kohinoor

The video starts with a dramatic hook, mentioning an attack on the Queen of England and claims from various countries like India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan for the Kohinoor. It highlights the superstition that the Kohinoor brings bad luck to men, and briefly mentions its original weight of 795 carats being reduced to 195 carats. The intro sets the stage for the historical journey of the diamond and the controversies surrounding it.

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Origin of the Kohinoor: The Kakatiya Dynasty

The Kohinoor's story begins in 1306 in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, part of the Golconda region ruled by the Kakatiya Dynasty. This region, near the Krishna River, was the only place in the world where diamonds were mined at that time. Locals used placer mining techniques to extract diamonds from alluvial soils. A unique diamond weighing 793 carats (158.6 grams) with exceptional clarity (D-grade) was discovered and handed over to the Kakatiya rulers, making them the first documented owners of what would later be known as the Kohinoor.

Legends and Superstitions: The Curse of the Kohinoor

The Kakatiya rulers placed the Kohinoor in the left eye of Goddess Bhadrakali in their temple in Warangal. A superstition then spread that while the diamond brought power, it also brought bad luck to its possessors, with the exception of God and women. This curse is mentioned in secondary sources and linked to the story of Shaymantaka Mani in the Bhagwad Puran. The video clarifies that the curse is not directly cited in Vedas or Puranas, but has been perpetuated through various historical accounts.

The Kohinoor's Journey Through Empires: From Khilji to Babur

After the Kakatiya Empire possessed the Kohinoor, they were attacked and defeated by Alauddin Khilji's general, Malik Kafur, who took the diamond to the Delhi Sultanate. Khilji recognized its immense value. However, the Khilji dynasty soon collapsed, and the Kohinoor passed to the Tughlaq dynasty, and then to multiple other kings and dynasties, each facing defeat. This led to the common belief that the Kohinoor brought misfortune. Eventually, the Kohinoor reached Babur, who called it the "Babur Diamond" and said it could feed the world for a day.

Humayun's Escape and the Kohinoor in Persia

After Babur's death, his son Humayun ascended the throne, but Sher Shah Suri attacked and defeated him. Humayun fled to Persia (present-day Iran) with the Kohinoor. During a Namaz break, Humayun forgot the diamond, but a courtman named Johar found it. In Persia, Humayun sought help from Shah Tahmasp and eventually gifted the Kohinoor to him, marking the first time the diamond left India.

Return to India: Shah Jahan and the Peacock Throne

The Kohinoor remained in Persia for a short time. Tahmasp sent it back to India in 1547 to King Burhan Nizam Shah of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate as a gesture to unite Shia Muslims. The diamond then passed through various kings until it reached Shah Jahan around 1656. Shah Jahan became obsessed with the Kohinoor and tasked Hortensio Borgio with beautifying it, which resulted in the diamond being cut down from 793 to 280 carats. Shah Jahan then included the Kohinoor in the Peacock Throne, making it even more magnificent.

Aurangzeb, Nadir Shah, and the Naming of the Kohinoor

In 1658, Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb removed him and imprisoned him in Agra Fort. Aurangzeb refused to sit on the Peacock Throne. After Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire weakened, and Nadir Shah of Persia attacked in 1738, seizing the Peacock Throne and other treasures. Muhammad Shah Rangila hid the Kohinoor in his turban, but a courtesan revealed this to Nadir Shah. During a turban exchange, the Kohinoor fell out, and Nadir Shah exclaimed "Kohinoor," meaning "Mountain of Light," thus giving the diamond its current name.

The Kohinoor in Afghanistan and the Sikh Empire

Nadir Shah took the Kohinoor to Persia, but his empire weakened, and he was killed. His general, Ahmad Shah Durrani, took the Kohinoor to Afghanistan, where it became part of the Afghan royal family. In 1800, it came into the possession of Shah Shuja Durrani, whose cousins revolted against him. He sent the Kohinoor to his wife, Wafa Begum, and brother, Zaman Shah, for protection under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in Punjab.

Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and the British Influence

Shah Shuja was arrested, and his wife, Wafa Begum, sought help from Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, promising the Kohinoor in exchange for rescuing her husband. The deal was finalized, and Ranjeet Singh rescued Shah Shuja. After some reluctance, Shah Shuja handed over the Kohinoor to Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in 1813. Ranjeet Singh cherished the Kohinoor, wearing it on his arm and later keeping it in the royal treasure. By 1830, British influence was growing, and they had their eyes on the Sikh Empire's treasures, including the Kohinoor.

The Kohinoor and the Decline of the Sikh Empire

In 1838, Maharaja Ranjeet Singh fell ill and considered donating the Kohinoor to the Jagannath temple, but his treasurer disagreed. Ranjeet Singh died in 1839, and his successors, Kharak Singh, Naunihal Singh, and Sher Singh, all died shortly after possessing the Kohinoor, leading to the belief that it was cursed. In 1843, the 5-year-old Duleep Singh was coronated, and his mother, Jind Kaur, handled the administration. The British saw this as an opportunity to take control of the Sikh Empire.

The Treaty of Lahore and the Kohinoor's Transfer to the British

In 1845, the British attacked the Sikh Empire and took control. They placed Duleep Singh's mother under house arrest and forced the 7-year-old Duleep Singh to sign the Treaty of Lahore. Through this treaty, the British officially took control of the Kohinoor. A ceremony was held in 1849 to hand over the Kohinoor to the British, and it was reserved for the Queen. Governor General Dalhousie tasked Theo Metcalfe with researching the Kohinoor's history to impress the Queen.

The Journey to England and Initial Misfortunes

The Kohinoor was taken from Lahore Fort to Bombay and then set sail for England on the HMS Medea in 1850. The diamond was kept in a normal box with two locks. The ship faced cholera and a storm. Upon reaching England, PM Robert Peel died, and Queen Victoria was attacked. These events were linked to the Kohinoor, fueling superstitions about its curse.

Queen Victoria, Reshaping the Kohinoor, and Setting it in the Crown

Queen Victoria received the Kohinoor with a black eye and a bruise on her head. She had David Brewster reshape the diamond, reducing its weight to 105.6 carats. After her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861, the Kohinoor was set in the Queen's crown to be worn exclusively by female members of the British royal family, reinforcing the belief that it brought bad luck to men.

Post-Independence Claims and Legal Battles

In 1947 and 1953, India requested the return of the Kohinoor, but the British rejected the requests. In 1976, Pakistan and later the Taliban and Iran also claimed the Kohinoor. In 1998, Kuldip Nayar and 50 other MPs, including Dr. Manmohan Singh, signed a petition for its return. In 2002, after Queen Elizabeth's mother died, the Kohinoor was placed on her coffin, sparking renewed demands for its return.

Legal Challenges and Current Status

PILs were filed in court, but the government stated that the Kohinoor was willingly given, making it difficult to claim. Legal challenges included the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972 and the UNESCO Convention, both of which had limitations. The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL in 1841, stating it could not order a foreign country to return the Kohinoor. Despite this, the government promised to continue efforts to bring it back, arguing that Duleep Singh was forced to sign the treaty.

British Arguments and the Ongoing Debate

The British argue that they legally acquired the Kohinoor through the Treaty of Lahore and that it has been part of the crown for 150 years. They also argue that returning it would set a precedent for other countries to claim artifacts from museums worldwide. They question who they should return it to, given claims from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Despite these challenges, the Kohinoor is still considered part of India's heritage, and efforts to bring it back continue.

The Curse Persists and Conclusion

The superstition of the Kohinoor's curse persists. After King Charles became king in 2022, his cancer diagnosis in 2024 was linked to the curse. The video concludes by reminding viewers of the Odoo Accounting App and thanking them.