Early History of the Taj Mahal Diamond

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Idealized Portrait of the Mughal Empress Nur Jahan (1577-1645), circa 1725-1750, wife of Jahangir. This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The Taj Mahal Diamond is a jewel of great renown*. It features a heart-shaped, table-cut diamond, inscribed in Persian. This jewel is set into a larger heart-shaped white jadeite mount. The jadeite heart is decorated with gold, rubies, and diamonds. It was originally fashioned to hang from a silk cord around the neck of a Mughal queen. Three inscriptions on the face of the diamond translate as follows: Nur Jahan Baygum-e Padshah; 23; and 1037 {1}. This lettering offers strong clues to the early history of the Taj Mahal Diamond.

The Empress Nur Jahan

The jewel was the creation of the court of Emperor Jahangir Shah, who ruled the Mughal Empire in India from 1605 to 1627. The inscription reading 1037 is believed to be a date on the Islamic calendar, which correlates to 1627 AD. Some experts believe the jewel was commissioned as a love token from Emperor Jahangir to his favored wife, Nur Jahan. However, others suggest that Nur Jahan, who held court in place of her opium-addicted husband, may have ordered the jewel designed for herself. The 23 is thought by experts to mark the 23rd year of the Emperor's reign. This proved to be the final year of the Emperor's reign. If Empress Nur Jahan had a chance to wear the spectacular jewel, it was not documented.

A Fierce Competition

Emperor Jahangir died in October, and by November 1627, his son, Shahryar, had ascended the throne at Lahore, at the bequest of Empress Nur Jahan. The former Empress was both stepmother and mother-in-law to the new monarch. Together, they kept secret Jahangir Shah's death for several weeks, hoping to buy the support of the ruling nobles. They managed to maintain rule in Lahore for nearly two months. Some historians propose that the Empress could have worn the Taj Mahal diamond during her son-in-law's brief reign on the throne. However, it is likely she would have deemed such an opulent display too risky, given the army bearing down on them to seize the throne. This army moved at the command of Asaf Khan, Empress Nur Jahan's brother. Around the same time his sister was claiming the throne for her chosen descendant, Asaf was making a similar declaration in Agra. Though he supported Shah Jahan, he first declared Dawar Baksh (Jahangir's grandson) the new ruler of the Mughal Empire at Agra. According to the writers at Internet Stones, Asaf Khan did so in order to tactically secure the throne for Shah Jahan. Asaf's military efforts in Lahore proved successful. He ordered the defeated Mughal to stand before Dawar Baksh, who ordered him sent to prison. Shortly afterwards, on January 8, 1628, Shah Jahan took his place upon the throne in Lahore, securing his rule over the entire kingdom.

First Acts of the New Emperor

One of his first acts as emperor was to order Asaf Khan to put to death all contenders for the throne. At least five young men, including Shahryar and Dawar Baksh, were executed. All of the fallen were either cousin or brother to the new emperor. In his role as prime minister, Asaf Khan intervened on behalf of his sister. Rather than executing Nur Jahan for her alliance with Shariyar, Emperor Jahan granted her release from prison with an annual pension and the right to live in her palace in Lahore until her death. During this time, the vast treasury of the Mughal Empire transferred to the new emperor. The historical records available to modern-day scholars do not mention the heart-shaped diamond pendant. Scholars are certain that the jewel was acquired at some point during this transition by Shah Jahan's most favored wife, Mumtaz-I-Mahal.

Mumtaz-I-Mahal

Mumtaz-I-Mahal was born Arjumand Banu Begum. She married Shah Jahan in 1612, when he was addressed formally as Prince Khurram. {2; 1}. In their text Taj Mahal, Mausoleum of Mumtaz Mahal, Drs. Zahoor and Haq explain the Mughal tradition for noble and royal women of the court to change their names when significant events occurred in their lives. When she married the future emperor, Arjumand became "Chosen One of the Palace," which is what Mumtaz-I-Mahal means {2}. Her name is apt, as she was Shah Jahan's favorite among his three wives. Christie's reports that she was reputed to be friend and adviser to the king, closer than any other to him. Though the Mughal Dynasty was a patriarch, it seems the women enjoyed an equanimity in rule. If Shah Jahan gifted the Taj Mahal diamond to his bride as an act of devotion and honor after their ascension to the throne, this would come as no surprise. For this to take place, the jewel would have transferred directly from the Mughal treasury. One theory is that the court jewelers did not have time to deliver the jewel to the deceased emperor or to his wife {3}. If the jewel had been delivered prior to the Emperor's death, it may have been cataloged as part of the Empress's official jewelry collection. The collection would have been immediately relinquished to Shah Jahan upon his ascension to the throne {3}. Because no mention is made of such an acquisition by Shah Jahan, a third possibility presents itself. Mumtaz, the favored wife of Shah Jahan, was niece Nur Jahan, the favored wife of the dead emperor. However improbable, it is possible that Nur Jahan gave the jewel directly to her niece, perhaps as a token of affection and/or loyalty, before she returned to her castle in Lahore {3}. Scholars refer to the diamond as the Nur Jahan diamond during this period of its history. In the second act of its life, the jewel takes on the stories of its new owner, thereby acquiring the modern distinction as the Taj Mahal Diamond. Read More...