There lived a goldsmith in a city. The man was very pious and honest. Every day before the sun rose, he would go to work. His shop was in front of the ruler's palace. Every day before opening the shop, the goldsmith would raise his hands to the sky and pray: "O All-Wise, All-Sufficient! O All-Forgiving! You are the Infinite Owner! You are Almighty over everything. Even if something falls to the bottom of the sea, You have the power to return it to a dry state!" He would open the shop door with this prayer.
The goldsmith's prayers would always wake the king from his slumber because the palace's windows were always open because the king's palace was nearby. "Who is this man who makes my peaceful sleep forbidden every morning and breaks my beautiful dreams?" the king yelled one day as soon as he woke up. The king questioned one of his servants and learned that this was a goldsmith's work. Additionally, his store faced the palace. The king considered giving that goldsmith a "proper" lesson for this reason. He called the vizier and gave him a diamond ring before they left the palace and went to the goldsmith's shop.
The goldsmith saw the king in front of his shop and was shocked. The king showed the precious ring to the goldsmith and said: ‘This ring has a ruby or ruby stone worth thousands of gold coins. I am very afraid that this precious stone will be lost. That is why I came to you. You will make another stone exactly like this ruby stone with colored glass. I will always wear that fake ring. And on special occasions I will wear the real ruby ring.’ Saying this, the king gave the ring to the goldsmith and said: Take care of the ring! The goldsmith took the ring and put it in a small box and put it inside the chest and closed the door of the chest. The king said to the goldsmith: Give me a glass of water!
The goldsmith quickly went to get water for the king. In the meantime, the king opened the door of the chest and put the ring in his pocket. The goldsmith also arrived with water. He gave the king water. The king said to the goldsmith: Before I go, close the door of the chest well. The goldsmith did so. Finally, the king said: 'You have been given three days. I want my ring within three days. On the fourth morning, I will take the fake ring and the real ring from you together. Be careful. I say it again, be careful! If you lose my ring, you will lose your neck.' Saying this, the king and his vizier left for the sea.
They went to the seashore and boarded a boat. After the boat had gone quite a distance from the seashore, the king threw his real ring into the water. Then the king and his vizier returned to the palace after mooring the boat on the shore.
The goldsmith shut down his shop, went home, and told his wife everything that had happened. He was told by his wife to hurry back to the store! Before making a fake ring, it is wrong to leave the king's ring in this manner on the chest. The king said no... Will your neck be broken if you lose that ring? Get back right away! It will remain attached to the king's ring for the foreseeable future.' The goldsmith quickly returned to the shop after hearing his wife's words. The small box was taken out by him after he opened the chest's door. He discovered that there was nothing in the box when he opened it. Surprised, the goldsmith did it. What happened to the ring? How was the event? The goldsmith's wife immediately brought food to the shop for her husband. The goldsmith was extremely concerned when she saw it when she arrived. The ring was not in the chest, the goldsmith informed his wife. The wife slapped her cheek, wept, and spent the entire day looking for the ring with her husband, but nothing happened. This was how three days passed. The goldsmith's prayers were ignored by the king for those three days, and neither was the king's sleep disturbed. The king informed his vizier over the phone, "My plan has succeeded." I'm not woken up in the morning by the goldsmith. The king, however, was awoken on the fourth morning by the sound of the goldsmith praying with his hands raised. The king went to the goldsmith's shop furiously. He went with him as well as a sword-wielding soldier of his. The king saw that the goldsmith was content when he left. Given the circumstances, the king's rage reached its boiling point. He informed the goldsmith that the three days had ended. If you don't give me the two rings, I'll break your neck. The goldsmith naturally unlocked the chest's door, opened the box, and presented the king with the two rings. Surprised, the king replied, "Impossible!" Unbelievable! What brought you this ring? How did you create the identical ring that I threw into the sea?
The goldsmith said, "My wife and I were disappointed with the ring, so we sat at home rather than go to the store." We stopped drinking and eating. My wife bought a large fish at the market. We discovered your priceless ring within the fish's stomach. As soon as I saw it, I knew it. I went to the shop and began working as soon as I got the ring. That's all! I made the ring to your specifications. I said the prayer you hear every day after the work was done. It was unbelievable to the king. He extended both arms, embraced the goldsmith close to the chest, and yelled, "Subhan Allah!" True servant of righteousness, you are! I sincerely regret everything I did that put you in danger. The king then quickly instructed his soldier to bring the goldsmith a large bag containing dinars. So did the soldier. The king gave them to the goldsmith and said, "You will wake me up every morning with a pure prayer from now on." Pray, "O Provider, All-Knowing!" O God of Pardon! You have unending power at your disposal! You have complete control over everything. You can bring something back to dry state even if it sinks to the bottom of the sea!
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The Koh-i-Noor, meaning “Mountain of Light” in Persian, is one of the most famous and controversial diamonds in the world. More than just a gemstone, it is a symbol of power, conquest, imperial ambition, and historical dispute. For centuries, the Koh-i-Noor passed from one ruler to another, almost always through war, betrayal, or political domination. Its story is deeply intertwined with the history of South Asia, Persia, Afghanistan, and the British Empire. Origins in Ancient India The exact origins of the Koh-i-Noor are surrounded by legend and uncertainty. Most historians agree that the diamond was discovered in India, likely in the Golconda region (modern-day Telangana), which was once the world’s richest source of diamonds. Golconda diamonds were renowned for their exceptional clarity and brilliance, and many legendary gems came from this area. Ancient Indian texts and folklore suggest that the Koh-i-Noor may have been known thousands of years ago. Some legends associate it with the Syamantaka Mani, a mythical jewel mentioned in Hindu scriptures. While this link cannot be proven, it reflects how deeply the diamond is embedded in Indian cultural imagination. What is more certain is that for centuries, India was the only known source of diamonds in the world, making gems like the Koh-i-Noor extraordinarily rare and valuable. The Delhi Sultanate and Early Rulers By the medieval period, the Koh-i-Noor had become part of royal treasuries in northern India. It is believed to have been owned by rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, a series of Muslim dynasties that ruled large parts of India from the 13th to the 16th centuries. During this time, the diamond was not merely an ornament. It symbolized divine favor, royal authority, and military dominance. Possessing such a gem enhanced a ruler’s prestige and legitimacy. However, the diamond’s history already showed a pattern: it rarely stayed with one dynasty for long. The Mughal Empire and the Peacock Throne The Koh-i-Noor reached new heights of fame under the Mughal Empire, one of the greatest empires in South Asian history. In 1526, Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the Battle of Panipat. The diamond came into Mughal possession shortly after. Babur himself mentioned a famous diamond in his memoirs, the Baburnama, describing its immense value. Later Mughal emperors treasured the Koh-i-Noor, but it was under Shah Jahan—the builder of the Taj Mahal—that the diamond achieved legendary status. Shah Jahan placed the Koh-i-Noor in the magnificent Peacock Throne, a jewel-encrusted seat symbolizing Mughal wealth and glory. At this point, the diamond was not just a treasure; it was the heart of imperial power. Nadir Shah and the Name “Koh-i-Noor” In 1739, disaster struck the Mughal Empire. Nadir Shah, the ruler of Persia (modern Iran), invaded India and sacked Delhi. The Mughal capital was looted, and unimaginable wealth was carried away. According to legend, when Nadir Shah first saw the diamond, he exclaimed “Koh-i-Noor!”—Mountain of Light. From that moment, the diamond became known by this name. Nadir Shah took the Koh-i-Noor back to Persia, but his reign was short-lived. He was assassinated in 1747, and once again, the diamond changed hands amid chaos. Afghanistan and the Durrani Empire After Nadir Shah’s death, the Koh-i-Noor came into the possession of Ahmad Shah Durrani, the founder of the Durrani Empire in Afghanistan. For a time, the diamond remained in Afghan royal custody. However, internal conflicts weakened Afghan rulers. One of Ahmad Shah’s descendants, Shah Shuja Durrani, was eventually overthrown and imprisoned. Desperate to regain his throne, Shah Shuja sought help from the Sikh Empire in India—and brought the Koh-i-Noor with him as a bargaining tool. Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Empire In the early 19th century, the Koh-i-Noor entered the treasury of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the powerful founder of the Sikh Empire. Shah Shuja gave the diamond to Ranjit Singh in exchange for military assistance. Ranjit Singh valued the Koh-i-Noor deeply, but unlike many rulers before him, he reportedly wished for the diamond to be donated to a Hindu temple after his death. However, this wish was never fulfilled. After Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, the Sikh Empire rapidly declined due to internal struggles and British interference. This set the stage for the final and most controversial chapter of the Koh-i-Noor’s journey. British Conquest and Transfer to Britain Following the Anglo-Sikh Wars, the British East India Company annexed Punjab in 1849. As part of the Treaty of Lahore, the Koh-i-Noor was handed over to the British. The diamond was presented to Queen Victoria and transported to Britain. This transfer remains one of the most disputed moments in the diamond’s history, as it occurred under colonial domination, not free consent. In 1851, the Koh-i-Noor was displayed at the Great Exhibition in London. However, many viewers found it disappointing, as its original cut did not reflect light well by European standards. Recutting and the British Crown Jewels To enhance its brilliance, Prince Albert ordered the diamond to be re-cut in 1852. While this made the Koh-i-Noor smaller, it significantly increased its sparkle. The diamond was later set into various pieces of British royal jewelry. Today, it is mounted in the crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, part of the British Crown Jewels, and kept in the Tower of London. Traditionally, the Koh-i-Noor is worn only by female members of the royal family, due to a long-standing belief that the diamond brings misfortune to men who possess it. Modern Controversies and Claims In the modern era, the Koh-i-Noor has become a symbol of colonial injustice. India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have all, at different times, claimed rightful ownership of the diamond. India argues that the Koh-i-Noor was taken during British colonial rule and should be returned. Pakistan claims it as part of the Sikh Empire’s legacy, which was based in Lahore. Afghanistan cites its period under Durrani rulers, while Iran references Nadir Shah. Britain, however, maintains that the diamond was acquired legally under the Treaty of Lahore. Conclusion: A Symbol Beyond a Gem The Koh-i-Noor is far more than a diamond. It represents centuries of empire-building, conquest, ambition, and loss. Its journey mirrors the violent and complex history of South Asia and imperial expansion. Whether it will ever be returned remains uncertain. 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Comments (1)
This was such an engaging read! I really appreciated the way you presented your thoughts—clear, honest, and thought-provoking. Looking forward to reading more of your work!