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| young queen victoria and Koh-i-noor diamond, pinrest.com |
Above image: Finest diamond in the world of India origin, mined in Kollur near Guntur town , Andhra state
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| Koh-i-noor diamond. in-vogue-jewelry.blogspot.com |
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| Koh-i-Noor diamond's journey. indpaedia.com |
So when Britain, or rather its proxy, the East India Company, triumphed over the Sikhs in 1849, it was natural that the resulting Treaty of Lahore should include the transfer of a little booty. And that is why the Koh-i-Noor diamond now sits in a crown in the Jewel House in the Tower of London". ...........Neil Tweedie 29 Jul 2010; The Telegraph
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| Koh-i-Noor diamond and the British Crown. Odisha Sun Time |
Origins and Mythical Status The exact origins of the Koh-i-Noor are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed to have been discovered in the Golconda mines of India, possibly during the 13th or 14th century. For centuries, it passed through the hands of various rulers across the Indian subcontinent, including the Mughals, Persians, and Sikhs. Each ruler prized the diamond, considering it a symbol of divine power and unassailable authority.
Maharajah Ranjit Singh and His Will The last Indian owner of the Koh-i-Noor was Maharajah Ranjit Singh, the powerful leader of the Sikh Empire. Upon his death in 1839, he expressed a desire for the diamond to be donated to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. However, this wish was never fulfilled. Following his death, the British East India Company annexed Punjab in 1849 after the Second Anglo-Sikh War, and the Koh-i-Noor became a "spoils of war."
The Treaty of Lahore Under the Treaty of Lahore (1849), signed after the British defeated the Sikhs, the Koh-i-Noor was officially ceded to the British. However, Governor-General Lord Dalhousie insisted that the diamond be personally presented to Queen Victoria by Duleep Singh, the young and deposed heir of the Sikh Empire. This act was more than a transaction; it symbolized Britain's dominance over its colonial subjects.
Journey to Britain The diamond's journey to Britain was perilous. It was dispatched from Bombay on April 6, 1850, aboard HMS Medea, tightly secured in a small iron safe. The voyage faced several challenges, including a cholera outbreak in Mauritius and a violent storm in the Indian Ocean. The ship finally reached Spithead, near Portsmouth, on July 1, 1850. The diamond was subsequently presented to Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace on July 3, 1850, coinciding with the East India Company's 250th anniversary.
Transformation in London Prince Albert, dissatisfied with the diamond's original cut, had it re-polished by Dutch diamond experts in London. The process, which lasted nearly a month, reduced its size from 186 to 105.6 carats. The new cut enhanced its brilliance but was criticized for losing much of its original mass.
Symbol of British Imperial Power The Koh-i-Noor became a centerpiece of the British Crown Jewels, prominently set in the crowns of Queen Victoria and later Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother). Displayed at the Tower of London, it is boh a dazzling artifact and a contentious symbol of imperial exploitation, with demands for its return from India, Pakistan, and other countries.
Today, the Koh-i-Noor remains powerful reminder of colonial history, encapsulating both the allure of wealth and the complexities of cultural heritage. based on 2018 article:
https://www.navrangindia.in/2018/07/queen-victoria-officially-received-koh.html
http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Kohinoor/_Koh-i-Noor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko
https://in-vogue-jewelry.blogspot.com/2014/09/history-and-mystery-of-koh-i-noor.htmlh-i-Noor
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