History of the Akbar Shah or Jena Ghir Shah Diamond

THE AKBAR SHAH, OR JEHAN GHIR SHAH.

Lost and Found--Known in Turkey as the "Shepherd's Stone"--Sold to the late Gaikwar of Baroda--Another Disappearance--Royal Egotism.

In every respect a very remarkable stone, the "Akbar Shah" entirely disappeared about the close of the seventeenth century, but it has again recently come to light. Thanks to information courteously communicated to us by Messrs George Blogg & Co., of London, we are enabled to trace its history back to the famous Mogul Emperor Akbar Shah, apparently its first owner. It remained in the Mogul's treasury till the time of Shah Jehan, by whom it was beautifully engraved in Arabic characters on both sides. After its long disappearance it suddenly came to light again a few years ago in Turkey, where it was known by the name of the "Shepherd's Stone." But the two inscriptions left no doubt as to its true origin. Mr. George Blogg, who purchased it at Constantinople in February, 1866, was told at the time that, according to the tradition, it formed one of the eyes of the Peacock Throne, destroyed by Nadir Shah. By him it was brought to London, where it was re-cut to a drop, as the most advantageous form, by the late Mr. L. M. Auerhaan. It was then sold by Messrs. Blogg, to the notorious Gaikwar of Baroda, in 1867, for 3 1/2 lacs of rupees (pound 35,000), and now lies hidden away with the other treasures accumulated by that prince during his oppressive reign.

The stone weighed originally 120 Arabic, or 116 English, carats. But in the hands of the cutter it was reduced to about 71 or 72 carats, and during the process the two inscriptions were totally destroyed. Facsimile copies, however, were first taken, and are here appended, with the English translations:--

The date on No. 1, 1028 A.H., corresponds to 1650, A.D. But Akbar, who succeeded Humayun in 1556, died in 1605. Hence the inscription could not have been engraved by Akbar himself. The date obviously indicates the year when Shah Jehan caused it to be made, whilst the terms of the inscription record the fact that the stone had belonged to Akbar. The second inscription was evidently added eleven years later on, also by Shah Jehan, the then owner, who reigned from 1627 to 1666, his reign thus covering both dates.