he
had seen hitherto. This was a rather conÂtemptuous phrase to use to an
emperor who already possessed the Koh-i-nur. However, the stone which
Emir Jemla gave to Shah Jehan so far exceeded everything that had been
hitherto dreamed of in the way of diamonds that he might be excused if
he exaggerated somewhat.
It
will be well here to quote Tavernier's acÂcount of the Great Mogul
diamond, even though something out of the chronological order. The
occasion is Tavernier's departure from Delhi on his sixth and last
return from India to Europe.
"
The first of November, 1665, I was at the Palace to take leave of the
King ( Aurungzeb) but he said I must not go without seeing his jewels
since I had seen the magnificence of his fete. Next morning very early
five or six officers came from the king and others from the Nabob Jafer
Khan, to say the king was waiting for me. As soon as I arrived the two
courtiers who had charge of the jewels accompanied me to his Majesty,
and after the customary salutations they took me into a small chamber
situated at the end of the hall where the king was sitting on his
throne, and whence he could see us. I found in
