Kohinoor Diamond History: The Kohinoor Diamond has been a witness to centuries of war, plunder, and power politics. Even today, its brilliance begs the question: how much is it worth and where is it?
In world history, some things are more than just treasure; they bear witness to power, conflict, and the rise and fall of empires. The Kohinoor diamond is one such gem. Kings fought wars to obtain it, treasures were looted, and empires were destroyed. Having passed through various hands for centuries, this diamond remains the world's most coveted gem. The question remains: how many times has the Kohinoor been looted, and what is its estimated value today?
Kohinoor is not just a diamond but a heritage of history.
The Kohinoor Diamond is one of the world's most famous and controversial gems. Known as the Mountain of Light, its history is believed to date back more than 700 years. It has been known not only for its brilliance but also as a symbol of power and authority. Therefore, whoever found it considered themselves the most powerful.
Where did Kohinoor come from?
According to historians, the Kohinoor diamond was mined from the Kollur mine in the Golconda region of Andhra Pradesh. Initially, the diamond was owned by the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal. It is said that the Kakatiya rulers offered it to the goddess Bhadrakali. At that time, no one imagined that this diamond would later become the source of such significant conflicts.
From Alauddin Khilji to the Mughals
In 1304, Alauddin Khilji, ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, attacked Warangal and seized the diamond. It subsequently became part of the Delhi Sultanate's treasury. After the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, Mughal emperor Babur obtained the Kohinoor. During the Mughal era, the diamond became a symbol of power, and Shah Jahan had it embedded in his Peacock Throne.
Nadir Shah and the name Kohinoor
In 1739, the Iranian ruler Nadir Shah attacked Delhi and stole the Kohinoor from Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah Rangila. It is believed that upon seeing the diamond's brilliance, Nadir Shah exclaimed "Koh-i-Noor," meaning "Mountain of Light," and the name became famous ever since. The Kohinoor then traveled from Iran to Afghanistan.
Journey from Afghans to Punjab
After Nadir Shah's assassination, the Kohinoor remained in the possession of the Afghan Durrani dynasty. Later, the Afghan ruler Shuja Shah Durrani handed the diamond to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, ruler of the Sikh Empire. Ranjit Singh considered the Kohinoor one of his most precious possessions and kept it safe.
How did the British get hold of Kohinoor?
Following the Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849, the British East India Company annexed Punjab. During this period, the Kohinoor diamond was taken from the young Maharaja Duleep Singh. According to the Indian government, the diamond was forcibly taken. The Kohinoor then reached England and became the property of the British royal family.
Where is Kohinoor today?
Today, the Kohinoor Diamond is set in the British Crown and kept in the Tower of London. It is part of the British Crown Jewels. Due to its cultural and historical significance, it cannot be sold, so there is no official market value for it.
What is the price of Kohinoor?
Although the Kohinoor is considered priceless, experts and media reports estimate its value at between $1 billion and $6 billion. In Indian currency, it is estimated to be between ₹8,000 crore and ₹50,000 crore. Some estimates put its value at as high as ₹1.67 lakh crore.
Comparison with gold and Burj Khalifa
If compared to the Kohinoor's price, at current prices, it could buy approximately 1600 kg of gold. This amount is more than the gold reserves of many countries. Interestingly, Dubai's Burj Khalifa was built for approximately ₹12,500 crore (125 billion rupees), meaning that approximately 13 Burj Khalifas could be built for the price of the Kohinoor.
PC:ABPNews
