Koh-i-Noor
The Koh-i-Noor or Mountain of Light in translation from Persian is a 105 carat diamond of the finest white color. The diamond changed numerous prominent owners and is currently in possession of Elizabeth II of United Kingdom. Like all other famous diamonds, the Koh-i-Noor is also surrounded by many legends including the one that says whoever owns it rules the world.
Origin and the early history of Koh-i-Noor are very unclear but experts believe that it probably originates from the Golconda mines in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The earliest historical records which mention the diamond date from the 16th century when it was owned by Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty that ruled most of the Indian Subcontinent by the early 18th century. Shah Jahan, the builder of the Tay Mahal had the diamond built into his elaborate Peacock Throne. The Peacock Throne together with the diamond was acquired in 1739 by Nadir Shah, Shah of Iran during his sack of New Delhi. After assassination of Nadir Shah who gave the diamond its name, Koh-i-Noor was acquired by the Afghan rulers but Shah Shuja who fled with the diamond after his deposition gave it to Maharaja of Punjab in 1830 who persuaded the East India Company to restore Shah Shaja on Afghan throne. However, Punjab was proclaimed part of the British Empire in 1849 and Koh-i-Noor came in possession of the British Royal family.
The legend goes that whoever owns the Koh-i-Noor will rule the world but will also
struck by misfortune. According to the legend only god or a woman can wear it
without impunity. Although the majority of significant jewels is surrounded by
legends which frequently include courses it seems that the British Royal family does
not want to take a chance because from the reign of Queen Victoria onwards the
Koh-i-Noor always passed to the wife of the male heir to the British throne.