
Koh-i-Noor
The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
3 months free
Buy for $19.18
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Leighton Pugh
The first comprehensive and authoritative history of the Koh-i Noor, arguably the most celebrated and mythologised jewel in the world, from the internationally acclaimed and best-selling historians William Dalrymple and Anita Anand.
On 29 March 1849, the 10-year-old Maharajah of the Punjab was ushered into the magnificent Mirrored Hall at the centre of the great Fort in Lahore. There, in a public ceremony, the frightened but dignified child handed over to the British East India Company in a formal act of submission not only swathes of the richest land in India but also arguably the single most valuable object in the subcontinent: the celebrated Koh-i-Noor diamond. The Mountain of Light.
Under commission from the British East India Company, gossip from Delhi bazaars was woven into what would become the accepted history of the Koh-i-Noor. Now, for the first time, 150 years after it was written, this version is finally challenged, freeing the diamond from the fog of mythology which has clung to it for so long. The resulting history is one of greed, conquest, murder, torture, colonialism and appropriation through an impressive slice of South and Central Asian history. Masterly, powerful and erudite, this is history at its most compelling and invigorating.
©2017 Bloomsbury (P)2017 Audible, LtdListeners also enjoyed...




















People who viewed this also viewed...


















The only gripe I have with the audio story is that the narrator has not done a decent job. The pronunciation of the words originating from India was atrocious.
However, if you cut some slack about the pronunciation and the listener has not heard of Empir, this book is much recommended.
Much Recommended
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Only one complaint
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Marred by some stupid post colonial guilt tripping at the end
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The story is interesting, matter of fact and moving fast.
The narrator, mr. Leighton Pugh, is a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK.
VERY INTERESTING
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Fascinating book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
171 years ago this month, the British Raj under Queen Victoria took the world's most sought after 105 carat diamond which was the size of half an egg, from the 10-year old Sikh emperor of Punjab, Maharaja Duleep Singh.
From the Peacock Throne of the Mughals, to the bracelets of Nadir Shah and Ranjit Singh, and finally to the crown of Queen Victoria, this small but precious inanimate object has travelled the world, adorned thrones, been hidden in cracks in prison walls, displayed with pride, and disappeared mysteriously.
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Great Britain, all claim ownership and this seemingly harmless piece of stone looks on almost smilingly as Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and Christians alike keep hacking at ways to get it for themselves.
The Koh-i-noor, believed to be cursed, has left wars, murders, cruel decapitations, capture, and plunder in its wake. It's owners have been brought to the streets and left to die alone, been killed by cholera, have been assassinated by their own family, or died in captivity. It might do us all well to revisit and ask ourselves if it the stone that's cursed, or human desire.
This book was a good narration of the diamond's sparkling history and bedazzling journey.
Sparkling and comprehensive
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Nice book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Dalrymple makes it clear that the history of the diamond prior to being captured by the Persian Nadu Shah is only based on guess work and fables. The author goes into the relationship the Indians have with gems including culture and religion. Dalrymple states that in ancient times the Indians sifted the diamonds from the sands of stream beds. All diamonds came from India until the 18th century when diamonds were discovered in Brazil.
The author states there were three great diamonds taken from the Mughal Emperor by the Persian Nadu Shah: the Koh-I-Noor is in England, the Darya-I-Noor is in Iran and the Orlov is in the center of the Imperial Scepter of Catherine the Great in Russia.
The second part of the book is written by journalist Anita Anand. She tells the story of King Duleep Singh. Anand sites the history of the diamond in the hands of the British. The author also discusses the characteristics of the diamond. It is thought the diamond came from the Kollur mine in Andhra Pradesh India in the 13th century. It was claimed to be 793 carets and 158.6g uncut and a clear color.
The book is well written and meticulously researched. The authors tell the complicated story drawing on a wide range of literature and memoirs. Koh-I-Noor in Persian means Mountain of Light.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Leighton Pugh does a good job narrating the book. Pugh is an actor, voice over artist and audiobook narrator.
Fascinating
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Remarkable story
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Koh-I-noor
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.