APPENDIX. 133
Tavernier-'s sketch was from memory, and was, therefore, more regular in outline than the original.
The name Great Mogul was, of course, not of native origin,
but was probably first conferred by Tavernier. By the natives it was
originally, in all probability, known as the Kollur diamond. In
reference to this, I was quite accidentally informed by a native
jeweller of Calcutta that it has been suggested, if not actually
stated, by some native writers, that the title Koh-i-nur really owes
its origin to a change in the originally meaningless name Kollur ; such
changes in which, while the sound is more or less retained, a meaning
;is acquired, are not by any means rare in Oriental languages, while
they sometimes occur in those of Europe.
Thus
English surnames in the mouths of natives become changed into words of
similar sound, which have a meanÂing in Hindustani, or whatever the
language spoken maybe. A striking example is afforded by the name given
by the natives to the geological department. The word geological being
unintelligible and difficult of pronunciation, has been rejected, and
is replaced by one of somewhat similar sound. This is jauhari, and
geologists are commonly known as Jauhari Sahibs, or jewellers, it being
supposed that their investigations all have for their object the
disÂcovery of precious stones. Other and similar examples might be
quoted in illustration.
From
the above I think it will be admitted that there are good reasons for
concluding that the Great Mogul, or Kollur diamond of Tavernier, is
identical with the Koh-i-nur.
Those
who have hitherto held this view have stated that it came from either
Gani or Purtial. As for Gam,, it is not a name, being simply a
corruption of Kan-i, a prefix signifying "mine of;" while
Purtial is a mine situated twenty-four miles east of Kollur, where a
mine is also known to have existed, being represented on a map of the
Nizam's dominions by Col. Colin Mackenzie, dated 1798.
