Kohinoor half its original size: Anita Anand

JAIPUR: The

Kohinoor

we know today is half of its original size as Prince Albert had the coveted gem cut by

best diamond cutters

to add sheen to it, said noted UK-based Indian journalist Anita Anand at the

Jaipur Literature

today.

Narrating a fascinating story about the voyage of the diamond, Anita said the prestigious gem arrived in England in a ship and was put in a “gilded cage”, but failed to impress people as it had no shine on it.

“Kohinoor was mocked in England as a lumpen piece of crystal which did not sparkle. It just did not shine,” Anita said.

“Prince Albert thought he should do something about it and got it cut by top diamond cutters of the time to add shine to it. It is after that cut the Kohinoor became what it is today - half the size of its original,” she said, while commenting on her new book ‘Kohinoor: The Story of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond’, which she has co-authored with historian

William Dalrymple

. Anita also said about six million people went to watch the precious diamond when it was put on display at the Great Exhibition in 1851.

Queen Victoria was fond of the Kohinoor and when it was presented to her she incidentally had an injury mark on her head. This helped in cementing the already popular notion that the Kohinoor had a bloody legacy. Historically the gem had brought bad luck and violence to all those who possessed it.

About Lord Dalhousie, who was the youngest governor-general of India when he assumed charge at the age of 36 in 1848, Anita said he was “deeply ambitious” and wanted “not just to take the whole of Punjab to England, but also the Kohinoor”.