The much-disputed history of the Kohinur has been
exhaustively discussed by Valentine Ball (Tavernier's _Travels in
India_: Appendix I (1), 'The Great Mogul's Diamond and the true
History of the Koh-i-nur; and (2) 'Summary History of the Koh-i-
nur'). He has proved that the Kohinur is almost certainly the diamond
given by Amir (Mir) Jumla to Shah Jahan, though now much reduced in
weight by mutilation and repeated cutting. Assuming the identity of
the Kohinur with Amir Jumla's gift, the leading incidents in the
history of this famous jewel are as follows;--
Event. Approximate
Date.
Found at mine of Kollur on the Kistna (Krishna)
river . . . . . . . . .Not known
Presented to Shah Jahan by Mir Jumla, being
uncut, and weighing about 756 English carats 1656 or 1657
Ground by Hortensio Borgio, and greatly reduced
in weight . . . . . . . about 1657
Seen and weighed by Tavernier in Aurangzeb's
treasury, its weight being 268 19/50 English
carats .
Pages:
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654