Have you wondered why Kohinoor's ownership is under such controversy?
Wonder no more, It's because of its troubled history.
What?
Koh-i-noor means "mountain of light" in Persian. The diamond was first found in Golconda mines in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh as early as the 13th century.
Who?
Weighing 793 carats, it first belonged to the Kakatiya dynasty. Kohinoor was later taken away by Alauddin Killji of Khilji dynasty when he plundered southern India.
The stone changed hands several times from Allaudin Killji to Muhal emperor Babur then to his great grandson Aurangazeb.
When?
It is said it was Aurangazeb's jeweller who cut it down to a clumsy 186 carats. Later Nadir Shah took it to Persia, then it travelled back to Delhi and finally ended up in Punjab.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab wanted the diamond to be given to Puri Jagannath temple.
But
After his death the East India company forced his son to present it to Queen Victoria as a part of the treaty of Lahore.
As the diamond's history involves great deal of bloodshed it was considered to bring bad luck to men.
And so
The Kohinoor which was chiseled to 106 carat has only been worn by women of the royal family.
Today, the diamond is set in the crown of the Queen England.
Though Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans have all claimed Kohinoor the British insists the gem was obtained by legal means and it's theirs.
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