present
coinage yields the goodly sum of $2,344,655. Being permitted to weigh
it, he found the exact weight to be 279 9-16 carats.
Then
after looking at the diamond as long as he wanted, for Akel Khan did in
no wise hurry him, Tavernier was shown a multitude of other gems of
lesser note, and among them a pearl perfectly round, weighing
thirty-six and one half ratis of beautiful luster, white, and perfect
in every way.
"
This is the only jewel which Aurungzeb who reigns now has bought on
account of its beauty, for all the others came to him in part from
Dara, his eldest brother, to whose belongings he succeeded after having
cut off his head, and in part from presents from his nobles."
This
slight remark opens to our view one of the saddest chapters of the
gloomy family hisÂtory of Shah Jehan's sons. And as Dara was once the
possessor of the Great Mogul, we maybe allowed to give his pitiful
story in a few words.
Prince Dara (David) the eldest son of Shah Jehan and the Light of the World, was destined
