Kohinoor, (Koh-e Noor or Koh-i-Nur) is a 105 carat (21.6 g) diamond that was once the largest known diamond in the world. It means “Mountain of Light”. The Kohinoor originated at Golconda in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India, belonged to various Indian and Persian rulers who fought bitterly over it at various points in history, and seized as a spoil of war, was finally taken by the British and became part of the British Crown Jewel.

The Kohinoor originated in the Golconda kingdom, in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, one of the world’s earliest diamond producing regions. The term “Golconda” diamond has come to define diamonds of the finest white color, clarity and transparency.

According to legend, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, famous for building the Taj Mahal, had the stone placed into his ornate Peacock Throne. His son, Aurangazeb, imprisoned his ailing father at nearby Agra Fort. Legend has it that he had the Kohinoor positioned near a window so that Shah Jahan could see the Taj only by looking at its reflection in the stone.

After the decline of Mughal Empire, the stone changed many hands before finally coming to Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had ordered that the stone should be passed on to the Jagannath temple in Orissa while on his deathbed. However it was not executed. Later Britishers took control of the stone when Ranjit Singh’s son presented it to Queen Victoria.

Currently the stone is part of crown jewels of Queen of England as a prominent centre piece and is placed in Tower of London.

It is reputed to bring misfortune or death to any male who wears or owns it. Conversely, it is reputed to bring good luck to female owners.

Source : Wikipedia.com