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The Koh-I-Nur: Delhi

In our account of the "Orloff," reference has already been made to Whittaker's statement that Aurung-zeb made use of the "Koh-i-Nur" as one of the eyes of the peacock, adorning his "Peacock Throne," and that Nadir carried off and broke up this throne, thus gaining possession of the famous gem. But according to another and apparently a more trustworthy account, when he seized on the Delhi treasury this stone, which he was bent on securing, was found to be missing, and for a long time all his efforts to obtain it were baffled. At last a woman from Mohammed's harem betrayed the secret, informing Nadir that the emperor wore it concealed in his turban, which he never on any occasion laid aside.

Nadir had now recourse to a very clever trick, in order to secure the coveted prize. Having already seized on the bulk of the Delhi treasures, and concluded a treaty with the ill-fated Mogul emperor, he had no further pretext for quarrelling, and could not therefore resort to violence in order to effect his purpose. But he skilfully availed himself of a time-honoured Oriental custom, seldom omitted by princes of equal rank, on State occasions. At the grand ceremony a few days afterwards held in Delhi, for the purpose of re-instating Mohammed on the throne of his Tartar ancestors, Nadir suddenly took the opportunity of asking him to exchange turbans, in token of reconciliation, and in order to cement the eternal friendship that they had just sworn for each other. Taken completely aback by this sudden move, and lacking the leisure even for reflection, Mohammed found himself checkmated by his wily rival, and was fain, with as much grace as possible, to accept the insidious request. Indeed the Persian conqueror left him no option, for he quickly removed his own national sheepskin head-dress, glittering with costly gems, and replaced it with the emperor's turban. Maintaining the proverbial self-command of Oriental potentates Mohammed betrayed his surprise and chagrin by no outward sign, and so indifferent did he seem to the exchange, that for a moment Nadir began to fear he had been misled. Anxious to be relieved of his doubts, he hastily dismissed the durbar with renewed assurances of friendship and devotion. Withdrawing to his tent he unfolded the turban, to discover, with selfish rapture, the long coveted stone. He hailed the sparkling gem with the exclamation, "Koh-i-Nur !" signifying in English, "Mountain of Light." At Nadir's death most of his treasures were dispersed, but the "Koh-i-Nur," henceforth known by this title, passed together with many other jewels into the hands of his feeble son, and temporary successor, Shah Rokh. On him it brought nothing but misfortune; yet he clung to it with amazing tenacity, refusing to part with it under pressure of the most atrocious tortures, including even loss of sight. After his overthrow, he had been permitted to reside at Meshd, as governor of that city and district. Hither he brought the "Koh-i-Nur," together with many other gems of great value, which formed part of the plunder carried off by his father from India. Aga Mohammed, who had an insatiable appetite for such things, determined to get possession of them; and in order the more easily to effect his purpose, he advanced with a large force towards Meshd, under the pretext of visiting the sacred shrine of the Imam Riza, which is annually resorted to by many thousands of Shiah pilgrims. He thus succeeded in quietly occupying the city. After performing his devotions at the tomb of the saint, suddenly throwing off all disguise, he ordered the blind prince to deliver up his concealed treasures. As the infatuated Shah Rokh still protested that he had already parted with them, he was ordered to be put to fresh torture, which had the effect of bringing to light several costly gems. But as neither the "Koh-i-Nur" nor the immense ruby known to have been in the crown of Aurung-zeb were amongst them, Aga Mohammed devised a truly diabolical expedient to get hold of them. He ordered his victim's head to be closely shaved and encircled with a diadem of paste, and boiling oil to be poured into the receptacle thus formed. But even the frightful agony of this torture could only induce the victim to surrender the ruby. He still retained his hold of the great diamond. The miserable monarch never recovered from these injuries. Before his death, Ahmed Shah, founder of the Durani Afghan Empire, came to his assistance in 1751, concluded an alliance with him, and received in return the fatal gem, whose brilliancy could no longer rejoice the lack-lustre eyes of Shah Rokh.