The Koh-i-Nur is first recorded as having been seen by a European in 1665, when the French traveller Tavernier was shown it, then in the possession of the Emperor Aurungzebe at Delhi. With the Great Moguls it remained till 1739, when it started on the more adventurous and tragic period of its career. In that year the great invasion from the West, under Nadir Shah, King of Persia, swept through the Punjab and laid Delhi and the unworthy successor of great Kings at his feet. Mahomed Shah was the unworthy successor, and having lost his kingdom, thought that at any rate he would cling to the Koh-i-Nur, thereby to provide himself with food and sustenance for the remaining years of his life. To Nadir Shah the existence of the great stone was well known; indeed it was to be one of the great prizes of the war, but search where they would, neither he nor his army of followers could find the diamond. Where searchings and direct action failed, a little judicious love-making succeeded. Amongst Mahomed Shah’s large assortment of wives was one who was not impervious to the gallant attacks of one of the bright knights of the conquering hosts. In the intervals of talking about more engrossing subjects during their midnight meetings, this frail, comparatively fair, but undoubtedly indiscreet damsel, divulged the great secret. From personal observation she declared, and who should know better than a lady who occasionally shared his couch and his affections, the Emperor Mahomed Shah kept the Koh-i-Nur day and night concealed in the folds of his turban. The bright but dusky knight immediately communicated this interesting piece of information to Nadir Shah. That potentate, instead of taking the commoner course of murdering the wearer of this valuable turban, or at the least committing burglary with violence, chose a more courteous but equally effective means of gaining possession of the diamond. He gave orders that a banquet should be prepared, and as the guest of honour invited Mahomed Shah. Again Nadir Shah did not mix ground glass with his guest’s food, nor did he poison his wine: two obvious methods; nor did he make him drunk and then steal the jewel. Neither was the gorgeous menial who waved a fan behind the royal diners instructed to thrust a dagger between the shoulder-blades of Mahomed Shah. The acquisition was much more diplomatically achieved.