According to some sources, the Koh-i-noor diamond was found in the Godavari River in central India 4,000 years ago. The authentic history of this jewel begins in the 14 c. when it was reported to be in the possession of the rajas of Malwa. It later fell into the hands of Baber, who founded the Mogul dynasty in 1526. During the next two centuries the diamond was one of the most prized items in the treasure of the Mogul emperors. Tradition associated with it states that its owner will rule the world, but that to possess it is dangerous for any but a woman.
In 1939, Nadir Shah of Persia invaded India and all of the treasures of the Moguls fell into his hands except the great diamond. Nadir is believed to have exclaimed "Koh-i-noor" mountain of light. Later, Ranjit Singh, the Lion of the Punjab, took the stone and wore it as a decoration.
It was later placed in the Lahore treasury. After the Sikh wars, it was taken by the East India Company as part of the indemnity levied in 1849, and was subsequently presented to Queen Victoria.It was decided to recut it from its original Indian form, and a member of the Amsterdam firm of Costar was called to London to cut the stone and got the oval cut in 108.93 carats. Queen Victoria continued to wear it as a brooch. The actual Koh-i-Noor can now be seen in the Maltese Cross, in a crown made for the Queen Mother in 1937, on display at the Tower of London.
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