As Botswana Finds World’s Second Largest Diamond, A Look At Koh-i-Noor’s Story

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Second Largest Diamond In Botswana

A Canadian mining company found a 2,492-carat diamond, the second largest diamond in the world in Botswana. Mokgweetsi Masisi, the Botswana President, had the bigges🀅t surprise when he saw th💯e diamond.

AP

World's Largest Diamond

Cullinan diamond, a staggering 3,106 carat stone, is the biggest diamond in the world. It was found i🍒n South Africa in 1905🍬 by Sir Thomas Cullinan.

Wikimedia Commons

The Koh-i-Noor

Koh-i-Noor, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, came from central southern India's Golconda mines. Weighing 105൩.6 carats, the diamond was taken by the East Company India in 1849 as part of the Treaty of Lahore.

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Koh-i-Noor-adorned Crown | Wikimedia Commons

Mughal Ruler's Peacock Throne

Though the origin is not exactly known, the Koh-I-Noor was f🍰irst seen on Mughal ruler Shah Jahan's gemstone-adorned throne in 1628. The diamond was placed at the top of🐲 the Peacock throne.

Shah Jahan on Peacock Throne | Wikimedia Commons

Koh-i-Noor Away From India

Persian ruler Nader Shah invaded Delhi a🧜nd took away Koh-I-Noor in 1739. The stone was broꦰught back by Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh in 1813. The British had laid their eyes in the gemstone by now.

Nader Shah on Peacock Throne | Wikimedia Commons

Britishers Take Koh-i-Noor

After Ranjit Singh's death in 1839, the British waited out for the chaos to settle down. As a young Duleep Singh was left with the throne, he was ♊jailed in 1849 and forced to give away Koh-I-Noor to the British.

Illustration of Koh-i-Noor | Wikimedia Commons

Part Of Royal Crown Jewels

It went to become Queen Victoria's special possession, who wo♛re Koh-I-Noor as a brooch and then it eventually became a part of the Crown Jewels.

Queen Victoria with Koh-i-Noor brooch | Wikimedia Commons

Last Appearance Of The Crown

The diamond then was in Queen Alexendra's crown, then 𒉰in Queen Mary's and finally of Queen Mother in 1937. The crown was last seen in the public in 2002, atop Queen Mother's coffin.

Queen Mother's Crown | hrp.org.uk

Tower Of London

The Koh-I-Noor, the Hope diamond from India, since 𝓰then has been in the United Kingdom and it is currently displayed ❀at the Crown Jewels section of the Tower of London historic royal palace.

Wikimedia Commons

Koh-i-Noor Replica In India

A replica of the infamous Koh-I-Noor diamond is on display at the 🐟Prince of Wales Museum of Western 𝕴of India in Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.

Wikimedia Commons