The Kohinoor

The Koh-i-Noor (also Kohinoor or Koh-i-Nûr, meaning "Mountain of Light" in Persian) is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, weighing 105.6 carats (21.12 g). It is part of the British Crown Jewels.

History:

The diamond’s early history is clouded in myth and legend. It is believed to have been mined in Kollur Mine, India, sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries. Its earliest documented appearance is in 1306, when it was owned by the Kakatiya dynasty. Over the centuries, it passed through the hands of various rulers, including the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal emperors, and the Sikh Empire.

During the Mughal era, the diamond was incorporated into the Peacock Throne. Following the invasion of India by Nadir Shah of Persia in 1739, the diamond came into his possession, who is credited with giving it its current name, Koh-i-Noor.

After Nadir Shah's assassination, the Koh-i-Noor passed to his grandson, and eventually found its way back to India through the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Ranjit Singh possessed the Koh-i-Noor until his death in 1839.

Acquisition by the British:

In 1849, following the Second Anglo-Sikh War and the annexation of Punjab by the British East India Company, the Koh-i-Noor was surrendered to Queen Victoria as part of the Treaty of Lahore. The treaty stipulated that the diamond was to be presented to the Queen.

Recutting and Appearance:

Upon its arrival in Britain, the Koh-i-Noor was displayed at the Great Exhibition of 1851, where it was met with mixed reactions. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort, felt the diamond lacked brilliance and ordered it to be recut in 1852. The recutting, performed by Dutch firm Coster Diamonds, reduced the diamond's weight from 191 carats to its current 105.6 carats and changed its shape from a Mughal-cut to a brilliant-cut oval.

Current Status and Controversy:

The Koh-i-Noor is currently set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, part of the British Crown Jewels on display in the Tower of London.

India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran have all laid claim to the Koh-i-Noor, believing it was taken unjustly by the British. The British government maintains that the diamond was legitimately acquired as part of the Treaty of Lahore. The controversy surrounding the Koh-i-Noor continues to this day.