The Great Kohinoor Caper
By Lokanath Mishra
In the sweltering heat of Odisha, a village high school was about to become the unlikely stage for a hilarious mix-up involving one of the world’s most infamous diamonds – the Kohinoor.
The Inspector’s Visit :
A school inspector dropped by in 1997 to test the students’ knowledge of their history syllabus. He asked Class X students about Nadir Shah’s invasion of India and the theft of the Kohinoor diamond. The question: “Who took the Kohinoor?” left everyone stumped, with all students, except one, claiming they hadn’t taken it.
The Accidental Accusation:
Enter Ravi, a hesitant student who knew something but wouldn’t spill the beans. The headmaster, history teacher, and other teachers joined forces to extract the truth from Ravi, who eventually pointed fingers at Raju, a Class VI junior student and son of the local Sarpanch. The headmaster eagerly chimed in, “Yes, sir, Raju must have taken it.”
The Case of the Misunderstood 💎 Dimond:
Raju, however, maintained his innocence, claiming he’d never even laid eyes on the Kohinoor. The teachers and headmaster remained unconvinced, citing Raju’s mischievous reputation as evidence. Meanwhile, the inspector remained unimpressed by the school’s lack of knowledge about Nadir Shah and the Kohinoor.
A Twist of Fate:
Just as the inspector recommended shutting down the school due to its apparent lack of education, the headmaster contacted the Sarpanch, blaming him for the potential abolition. The Sarpanch rushed to the Education Minister and local MLA, who intervened to save the school. Instead of abolishing it, the Minister sanctioned 500 books for the school library, published by Kohinoor Press in Cuttack.
The Kohinoor’s Real Story:
The Kohinoor diamond has a rich history, dating back to India’s alluvial mines. Initially revered by gods like Krishna, it became a symbol of prestige and power, changing hands through various rulers and conquests .
- Early History: Part of the Peacock Throne, commissioned by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, featuring two peacocks adorned with gems, including the Timur Ruby and the Kohinoor diamond.
- Nader Shah’s Invasion: In 1739, Nader Shah invaded Delhi, massacring tens of thousands and looting the city, taking the Peacock Throne and the Kohinoor diamond as war trophies.
- British Colonization: The diamond eventually fell into British hands, becoming part of the Crown Jewels, with Queen Victoria wearing it as a brooch and later featuring it in the crown of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary.
The Ongoing Controversy:
The Kohinoor’s ownership remains a topic of debate, with countries like India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan claiming rights to the diamond. Historians argue that its history and ownership are shrouded in myth, making it challenging to determine its rightful owner. Once the Ruler of Punjab Ranjit Singh donated the Kohinoor to Prabhu Shri Jagannath, but before reaching of Kohinoor in Prabhu Shri Jagannath temple complex, Britishers took away.