About Koh-i-Noor Diamond:

This magnificent gem has the longest history of all the Famous diamonds. In 1304, it was in the possession
of the rajah of Malwa. In 1526, it fell into the hands of the founder of the Mogul dynasty and was passed down
the line to all the Great Moguls until 1739, when Nadir Shah of Persia invaded India. All of the treasures of the
Moguls fell into his hands, except the great diamond. He was told that the emperor had the stone hidden in his
turban. So, in accordance with local custom, he invited his vanquished opponent to a feast where turbans would
be exchanged. Later, in private, Nadir Shah unrolled the turban and reportedly exclaimed, “Koh-“/I/Noor!.
(Mountain of Light) when the gem tumbled to the floor.
Later, the stone was taken to Afghanistan by General Ahmad Abdali, who had served Nadir Shah. One of the
sons of Ahmad Abdali (Ahmad Shah as a ruler) fled to the Sikh maharajah Rangit Singh in Lahore in 1810, forfeiting
the diamond soon after. After the Sikh wars, the gem was taken by the East India Company as part of the indemnity
levied in 1849 and was subsequently presented to Queen Victoria. She had the 186-carat gem recut to a 108.93-
brat oval brilliant. The Koh-i-Noor, set in the Queen Mother’s crown, is on view in the Tower of London.