Bengaluru: Kohinoor is definitely probably the most coveted gem on the planet and has been within the British possession for 173 years now.
It reached the British arms from India by way of a ‘peace treaty’ with the Punjab’s 10-year-old king Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849.
From being probably the most scintillating symbols of opulence and medieval financial dominance of India to being the crown jewel of British colonialism, Kohinoor has travelled far.
However, what’s its origin story?
There are a number of theories concerning the diamond’s origins and probably the most established story is that the diadem was extracted from Kollur Mine, positioned in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur District, which has been variously a part of the Vijayanagara Empire, Qutub Shahi Kingdom, Mughals and the Asaf Jahi Nizams.
Nevertheless, it’s not the one priceless diamond that has made its treacherous means out of India. Kohinoor is within the illustrious firm of among the many world’s most well-known gems that originated in India and now discover themselves within the crowns and treasures of a number of queens, princes and oligarchs.
Astonishingly, a lot of the world’s most treasured diamonds, together with Kohinoor, the Orlov, the Nice Mogul, Hope and Dresden got here from Kollur.
So, the place is that this mine and what occurred to it?
The Kollur Mine, on the banks of River Krishna, was the largest supply of wealth for the medieval kingdoms who dominated over it one after one other. Clearly, it was a serious supply of competition for the assorted South Indian kingdoms of the time.
The mine was so prolific within the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that by way of its riches the Qutub Shahi capital Golconda grew to become the diamond capital of the world, attracting retailers, prospectors, jewellers and fortune-seekers from throughout the globe.
Although the mine is now defunct and has gone below water as a result of an irrigation mission, the area remains to be surrounded by numerous lore and thriller.
Picture Credit score: Shafaat Shahbandari, Particular to Gulf Information
Yearly, in the course of the dry the summer time months, when the water recedes and the outdated village of Kollur reveals up, former villagers and locals from the neighborhood descend down within the hope of placing a fortune.
Mysteriously, it nonetheless often throws up a few of its scintillating riches.
Situated amidst the distant forests of the Guntur district, accessed solely by way of a rocky filth monitor or on boats, the backwaters of the Pulichintala Irrigation Challenge is a tough place to seek out.
Fortune seekers
Nevertheless, the fortune seekers not simply courageous the arduous path but additionally courageous the scorching solar within the hope of discovering one other Kohinoor.
Picture Credit score: Shafaat Shahbandari
Some, just like the herder Narsimha and his household camp on the banks all through the summer time, grazing their cattle on the banks whereas retaining a watch out for the shiny stones.
The prospectors have been buoyed by some latest finds of a few native farmers which have modified their fortunes.
Picture Credit score: Shafaat Shahbandari
“This place has an extended historical past. I used to be born on this village and grew up on many tales of individuals discovering treasured stones. We have been relocated from right here twenty years again because of the irrigation mission however yearly we come again seeking our fortune and we have now discovered some semi treasured stones,” mentioned Narsimha, displaying off a giant glowing block, which is outwardly a piece of quartz.
Narsimha and his household weren’t the one ones on the banks of Pulichintala after we visited the place. As many as half a dozen prospectors have been scouring the rocky terrain seeking treasured stones.
“On any given day 10-20 folks arrive right here within the hope of discovering a diamond. Some come from different states additionally, we have now had many sellers coming right here, providing us cash if we discovered any gems,” added the outdated herder.
Obscure because the place is, it’s not out of attain for the adventurous and impressive.
Picture Credit score: Shafaat Shahbandari
Among the many fortune seekers who go to the place recurrently are the father-son duo of Wali and Abdul. The got here all the way in which from a village 120km away from Kollur.
“We have now heard so much about this place and the riches it holds. One prospector from our neighbouring village discovered a gem lately in order that inspired us in making an attempt our luck. We have now come right here every time we have now a day without work, however we haven’t been fortunate but, besides for locating some quartz. However we’re not dropping hope, we’ll come once more and also you by no means know, our luck may shine sometime,” mentioned Wali, who works as a mason.
Picture Credit score: Shafaat Shahbandari
Submerged within the waters of contemporary growth and out of attain for a lot of the yr, will Kollur throw up one other Kohinoor? It could, it’s arduous to guess when the fortune shines!
— Shafaat Shahbandari is a contract journalist primarily based in Bengaluru
