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THE KOH-I-NUR. 97
weak.
The wretched prince was unable to hold the throne, usurped by his
father, against the usurpations of his own lieutenants. In 1751 he was
dethroned and his eyes put out by Aga Mohammed, who endeavored by the
most frightful tortures to force him to give up his diamonds and other
treasures. Shah Rokh however, in spite of all, still retained the
Koh-i-nfir and his tormentor thereupon devised for him a diadem of
boiling pitch and oil which was placed on his unhappy head. But even
this expedient failed to make him give up his priceless gem.
A
powerful neighbor, the lord of Kandahar, an old friend of his father,
now came to Shah Rokh's assistance, put his tormentor to death, and
once more placed the forlorn prince upon his tottering throne. In
reward for this timely service, the Persian gave to his delivere^the
Koh-i-nur in whose rays his sightless eyes could no longer rejoice.
Shortly afterwards he died from the effects of his injuries.
The Koh-i-nur was now in Afghanistan, the
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