what is kohinoor

The Koh-i-Noor is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, weighing 105.6 carats, and is part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The diamond has a long and controversial history, having been passed down through various rulers and empires over the centuries. It is believed to have been first mentioned more than 5000 years ago in a Sanskrit script, where it was called the Syamantaka. The diamond was most famously owned by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal. The diamond was taken by the British during their colonial rule of India and was placed among the crown jewels of Queen Victoria. The Koh-i-Noor is considered to be cursed, with a Hindu description of the diamond warning that it affects only men. Despite calls for its return to India, the British government has refused to give it back.