The Koh-i-noor Diamond is one of the world’s most well known diamonds. It is by no means the world’s biggest diamond, but it is by far the most infamous. Its storied history spans centuries-the Koh-i-nor has passed through the hands of many rulers, dynasties and empires in South and Central Asia, including the Mughal emperors of India, Persian Shahs, Afghan rulers and Sikh Maharajas, before ending up in the British Crown Jewels. This rich history and the curse it allegedly casts on male owners has added to its notoriety, mystique and fame. Its controversial “acquisition” by Queen Victoria has made its presence in the British Crown Jewels a subject of debate. India, Pakistan, Iran and even the Taliban have laid a claim to it.
Sunil Saksena’s presentation will recount some of its history and the myths and legends that surround it. It’s an amazing story.
Sunil is a member of the Darien DMA and its past President. He was born in India in 1944 and received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology , Roorkee.
He worked at Union Carbide India before proceeding to the University of California, Berkeley in 1966 for graduate work. He received a masters degree in engineering as well as an MBA from Berkeley. Sunil worked as a mechanical engineer with American Can Company in San Francisco where his claim to fame is that he designed the machine that puts the can cover on the beer can making it safe for you beer drinkers to safely imbibe. For the majority of his career he was in finance, first as an international banker with Bankers Trust Company serving in Singapore, Mumbai and New York and later with Fidelity Investments from which he retired in 2004.
He and his wife lived in Darien for 38 years and have just this year moved to Vermont.
Summary
Sunil Saksena shared with us the story of the The Koh-i-Noor Diamond: A Gem’s Journey Through History.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond, currently weighing 93 carats, is a legendary gem with a rich and dramatic history spanning centuries and continents. Despite its relatively modest size by modern standards, the Koh-i-Noor’s fame stems from its ancient origins and the captivating stories surrounding it.
Origins and Early History
The diamond originated in central India, with legends tracing its beginnings to a divine gift from the sun god Suria to a local king. Unlike modern diamond mining, ancient Indian diamonds were alluvial — gently collected from riverbeds in the legendary state of Gonda. While most diamonds were tiny, occasionally a remarkable stone like the Koh-i-Noor would emerge.
Cultural Significance in Ancient India
In ancient India, diamonds were more than mere decorative objects:
- Considered auspicious objects
- Believed to channel planetary influences
- Symbols of prosperity and power
- Often used as the primary form of adornment in royal courts
India was the world’s sole source of diamonds until the discovery of Brazilian mines in 1725. Indian diamonds were coveted globally, from ancient Egypt to Rome and China. Today, the largest diamonds, which have eclipsed the Koh-i-Noor in size, are principally from Africa.
The Legendary Curse
The Koh-i-Noor carries an intriguing curse suggesting that only “God or a woman” can wear it without consequence. Throughout its history, the diamond has been associated with a trail of theft, bloodshed, and misfortune to common men and noble men alike
Journey through empires
The diamond’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary:
- 12th Century: First documented in Delhi, where it remained for 500 years
- 1737: Taken by Persian Emperor Nader Shah to Herat
- Mid-1800s: Acquired by Sikh Emperor
- 1849: Captured by the British and transported to England
The Mughal Connection
The diamond became particularly famous during the Mughal Empire. Emperor Babur, who acquired it in 1526, transformed it into the “Mountain of Light” (Koh-i-Noor’s literal translation). During this period, the Mughal Empire was incredibly wealthy, controlling over 100 million subjects across current-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
The Mughals were known for their opulence and love of gemstones. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the spectacular Peacock Throne, which featured the Koh-i-Noor diamond as one of its centerpieces and included literally thousands of diamonds.
Persian Invasion and Afghan Rule
In 1739, Nader Shah of Persia invaded Delhi and plundered its riches, including the Koh-i-Noor. A popular legend, though unverified, tells of how Nader Shah acquired the diamond through a turban exchange with the defeated Mughal emperor, who had hidden it in his turban.
After Nader Shah’s assassination in 1747, the diamond came into the possession of Ahmad Shah Durrani, who established the kingdom of Afghanistan. The Koh-i-Noor remained in Afghanistan for the next 70 years
British Acquisition and Current Status
The British acquired the Koh-i-Noor in 1849 through a transaction that has been questioned by India as a colonial transgression and transported it to England. Today, it resides in the Tower of London as part of the British Crown jewels—the Crown of the Queen Mother, although it has not been worn publicly since 1953.
Ongoing Controversy
Currently, five different countries claim ownership of this remarkable gem: India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and even the Taliban have made claims. England, however, has maintained that it acquired it legitimately and good faith as a spoil of empire
In the mid-19th century, British diplomats befriended a 10-year-old Punjabi Sikh prince, the Maharaja Duleep Singh, who’d inherited the Kohinoor. They took the boy’s diamond as part of an 1849 treaty marking the end of the second Anglo-Sikh war — and presented it to Queen Victoria.