Kohinoor by
William Dalrymple is a non-fiction book based on the much highlighted and
controversial diamond: Kohinoor.
As known
worldwide, William Dalrymple is popular for his research and non-fiction genres.
This time, once again digging the Indian history, he takes up a glittering, yet
controversial, diamond to tell its stories that have been passed on from one
era to another, and co-authoring him is Anita Anand. They have joined hands to
help readers explore this diamond’s history.
The book takes
the readers to a different world of past, starting from the Indian prehistory
of the scintillating diamond Kohinoor to how the spiritual stories are
associated with its origin. Where it is related to the Puranic Kathas and Hindu
began to equate the diamond with the legend of Krishna. Author will take you
through the different believes and stories mentioned in the Garuda Purana,
Bhagavad Purana, Kautilya's Arthasastra.... to understand Kohinoor's origin and
significance to the human race before finding its way to Delhi and then to many
more rulers.
The authors
have also discussed the Mughal’s era, where Kohinoor was the symbol of beauty
and prestige, but still its origin remains unsolved though it tells how it goes
into different hands.
Next era is of
bloodshed, the era of Nader Shah, his lust for power and conquering brings him to
a tragic end. Around the same time, the other stone started taking its place
and popularity in the state treasury; like the Darya-i-Noor and Timur Ruby and
meanwhile the Kohinoor takes its journey to Afghanistan.
After witnessing
the lives lost of many, it becomes clear that none of its possessors lived
happily. They keep losing something or other. In a nutshell, to whom it may suit
was an arcane case. Despite that, it continued its journey from Persia to back
in India into the hand of Shere Punjab Raja Ranjit Singh, his era too ended with
bloodshed and lives of many. It is sad part of the history to see Punjab turning
into the city of ashes. The chapter about Ranjit Singh looks very well
researched and written. That’s why it is quite interesting one.
In the end, Kohinoor
takes its position into the hands of East India company, but behind this there
is story of unfortunate boy and a
mother, "Duleep Singh son and Maharani Jindan Kaur", seventeenth wife
of Ranjit Singh. Their story ends with pain too.
The Kohinoor on
its curse does not leave the lives of the British royal family untouched. The
history speaks on its own; the story of Kohinoor, tale of greed, conquest,
murder, pain, torture, separation through the south and central Asia and at the
same time story of changing fashion in jewelery and precious stones. It takes
its journey from the Peacock Throne of Mughals to the crown of Queen Victoria,
but on stake of many lives and kingdoms.
At present many
countries including India still fighting and trying to prove its origin and
possession belongs to them. Is the Kohinoor again looking for to show its power
of curse on its possessor or the mystery will remain unsolved?
The language,
research and writing style of authors have left so much impact on readers that
now they would be encouraged to read more of its history.
In the end it
can be concluded that the Kohinoor diamond always remained a curse to its owner
and for this reason it was never a stable a gem. Whether it is a symbol of
pride or the symbol of curse to its possessor, the facts are hidden itself in
the arcane sanguinary diamond 'Kohinoor. It is going to be an unsolved mystery
of its origin and possession.
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