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| gemmanews.wordpress.com |
Above image: Lower Left stone - Taj-I-Mah. That the Darya-i-Nur and the Taj-i-Mah diamonds were sister stones, is not true according to many gemologist.The Darya-i-Nur is light pink whereas the Taj-i-Mah is colorless – like the Koh-i-Noor diamond........
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| The Taj-I-Mah diamond of Indian origin internetstones.com |
Origins and Architectural Cutting
Like its legendary counterparts, the Koh-i-Noor and the Hope Diamond, the Taj-i-Mah originated in the Kollur Mines of the Golconda region. Its physical characteristics—a "Mogul-cut" finish that preserves the stone’s original crystal volume—place it firmly in the 17th-century Indian lapidary tradition. Originally, the stone was much larger; British diplomat Sir John Malcolm reported its weight as 146 carats during his 19th-century visit to Persia. It was likely re-cut later to its current dimensions of 32.0 × 24.3 × 14.7 mm to enhance its brilliance or remove minor flaws.
A History Written in Blood
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| Muhammad Shah-Mogul ruler of Delhi-internetstones.com |
The journey of the Taj-i-Mah from the Mughal courts of Delhi to the vaults of Tehran is a violent one. It remained a centerpiece of the Mughal treasury until 1739, when the Persian ruler Nadir Shah invaded India.
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| Nadir Shah of Persia, en.wikipedia.org |
Following the sack of Delhi and the defeat of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, Nadir Shah seized the legendary Peacock Throne and a hoard of gems that included the Koh-i-Noor, the Darya-i-Nur, and the Taj-i-Mah.
The diamond’s subsequent history in Persia was equally tumultuous:
Assassination of Nadir Shah: In 1747, Nadir Shah was killed by his own officers. His grandson, Shah Rukh, inherited the treasure but was later tortured and deposed.
The Qajar Dynasty: The brutal Agha Muhammad Khan Qajar eventually seized the jewels, only to be murdered by his servants in 1797.
Fath Ali Shah: His nephew, Fath Ali Shah, inherited the collection and famously wore the Taj-i-Mah and the Darya-i-Nur in a pair of magnificent armbands (Bazubands), though gemologists today clarify they are not "sister stones" due to their different colors (colorless vs. pink).
Distinguishing the Two "Taj" Diamonds
It is vital to distinguish this stone from the Taj Mahal Diamond. While the Taj-i-Mah is a 115-carat colorless giant in Iran, the Taj Mahal Diamond is a smaller, heart-shaped, table-cut gem inscribed with Persian poetry. The latter was a personal gift from Shah Jahan to Mumtaz Mahal, whereas the Taj-i-Mah served as a symbol of imperial statehood and military triumph.
Diamonds: The Symbol of Love and Romance
Despite their often violent provenance, diamonds like the Taj-i-Mah are universally regarded as symbols of eternal love. This association stems from their geological nature: they are the hardest substance on Earth, virtually indestructible. This "unbreakable" quality mirrors the ideal of a romantic bond that withstands the passage of time. Furthermore, the clarity of a fine diamond represents the purity of intention, while its fire symbolizes the spark of passion. In the case of the Taj-i-Mah, its name—meaning "Crown of the Moon"—evokes the celestial and the romantic, reminding us why these stones remain the ultimate talisman for the heart.
Ref:
http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com
https://gemmanews.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/the-lost-indian-diamonds-of-iran
K.N. Jayaraman (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com
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