The Source Book On Sikhism

Back into the Mughal Hands

Mir Jumia, a diamond dealer of Persia, came to India in connection with his business. He was a man of parts and soon rose to be Prime Minister of Golcunda. In addition, he was in sole charge of the working of Gokcunda mines so much so that people looked up to him rather than the King for favours. The king conspired to blind him but the wily minister escaped. Aurangzeb, the governor of Deccan, tried to win him over and held high hopes of great rise in the Mughal Court. He was appointed Prime Minister by Emperor Shah Jahan and he offered this diamond as well as other jewels as a Peshkash to Shah Jahan which was consigned to the Royal treasury. Aurangzeb who succeeded his father was not fond of pomp and so this diamond of unrivalled beauty and splendour remained locked in the coffers of the Mughal treasury except when Travarnier had an opportunity to see it. He says, ‘Ali Khan, chief of the treasury, placed this diamond in my hands, it weighed 907 rathis and is of the same form as of one half an egg cut through the middle’.

Aurangzeb’s throne descended, in due course, to Mohammad Shah 'Rangila' so called on account of his gay manners.