Kohinoor - Untold Story Of India's Independence

Synopsis: The book is a historical fiction imaging the role of Kohinoor, its real owners, and what was their role in the war of India's independence. The book chronicles the journey of Kohinoor with the major events of India's independence, beginning with the war of 1857, till it reached the British museum after India's independence. The book tries to keep the original events of the history intact, adding a fictional element making Kohinoor crucial to the outcome.

Chapter 1: British Museum

Shayani was excited to enter the museum of natural history. The family did not see her being this excited from the day they landed in London. The moment she got hold of the tickets, she ran to the floor where Kohinoor was displayed. The family tried to stop her, but it was too late. 

Shayani's mother said, "I know where she will be. Let us go through the rest of the gallery and find her when we reach that floor."

Skipping all the exhibits on the floor, she headed directly to have a glimpse of Kohinoor. Shayani always dreamed of the day. The scenario was different in her dream. In the dreams, she had to go through a crowd full of people vying to have a glimpse of the diamond. In reality, no one seemed to be much interested in the valuable piece of art in front of them. She did not mind it and stood there in awe of the diamond. 

A few minutes passed by, and a man in uniform asked Shayani, "Do you know it is only a replica?"

The question felt like an insult to the exceptional enthusiast of Kohinoor, herself. But Shayani decided not to spoil the moment. So, replied to the man only by nodding yes.

The man did not let her be, and he asked her another question. "Do you know they cut the Kohinoor into pieces?"

A nod came back from Shayani, hoping her disinterest in the conversation might send him away.

But the man continued, "Do you know even the smaller pieces are also just replicas?"

That time she turned a little pissed, "I know, even if I don't know, it is none of your business."

Ignoring her strong reply, the man continued, "Even the name Kohinoor was not real."

"No way, as long the history goes, the only name it had was Kohinoor."

"That is what people want you to believe."

"What do you mean?" asked Shayani.

"No one knows the origin of the diamond. No one claimed ownership of the diamond before it was named Kohinoor. How is that possible?"

"Maybe, Mughals found it in after they defeated one of the Indian kings?", replied Shayani starting to find interest in the conversation.

"If that is true, then there would be some records of it. No one can hide that big a diamond."

"What are you trying to say?"

"It is not me who is saying this. My great-grandmother told me many stories about this diamond."

Shayani was intrigued by the happenings and scanned the man in front of her. The man was in his early twenties and looked like an Indian. But, he dressed a bit different from the Indians she usual met in India. So, she concluded he must be an Indian settled in London. 

Shayani, with her eyes, signalled to mean what.

"What, what?" asked the man.

"What did your great-grandmother tell you?" asked Shayani.

"The diamond known as Kohinoor is, in reality, the Shyamantakmani. It was a gift from Sun God. The last known location was Dwaraka during Krishna's period. As per the epics, any land that possessed the diamond would be prosperous and never encounter any calamities, and the diamond also had magical powers as per the epic. It will produce for the keeper eight bhāras of gold daily."

Shayani felt the whole story was far fetched. But, one thing had intrigued her. The name Shyamantakamani. It was Shayani's given name. She shortened the name to Shayani, as Shyamntakamani was long and sounded old. 

She, however, let out an exasperating sound to show her disinterest.

"I know it was not easy to believe there are too many unanswered questions. Why did the diamond stop giving the gold? Who were the owners who held it after Krishna? If the diamond can prevent calamities for the land, how did they lose it? "

"Right?" said Shayani.

"If all that was real, India should have never lost to Mughals or British?"

"Yes."

"I also had all these questions, and my great-grandmother had answers for all of this and more."

"What do you mean?"

"It always helped India as long it was in India. The powers of diamond, however, were reduced. The stories told by my great-grandmother tells me the diamond even played a crucial part in India's Independence war."

"That all seems intriguing but made up."

"Yeah, it is not easy to believe. But everything my great-grandmother said falls well in the timeline of India's independence. Be it widely known events like the 1857 war loss, Jalilianwala Bagh Massacre, the formation of INA, or the unexplained events like Subhash Babu's death all are related to the diamond."

Shayani wanted to know more about her favourite topic. However unbelievable it was. But she heard her mother's voice, and she knew she had to leave. 

"I would like to hear your stories, but it is time for me to go", said Shayani air quoting the stories for impact. 

"Well, I was not going to tell you any more of the stories even if you want to hear."

She wanted to ask why, but that means she was showing interest which she hinted she had none of a few moments ago. So, she ignored and joined her family.

Her family walked to the exhibit of the diamond. They were all awed by the size and shape of the diamond. They were pointing at the diamond and back at her and kept talking in an excited tone. 

Shayani, however, was lost in her thoughts. 

"Why did he tell all the stories? Why did he say he did not want to tell her any more stories? How is her name linked to all this?"

Shayani wanted answers, and she started searching for the man. He was not in the room. She tried to run to the next room to find him. But, her mother stopped her from leaving them. 

"We are leaving now. It is already closing hours," she commanded her to stop.

As Shayani was leaving the museum, a woman handed her a box. The woman did not wait till Shayani could ask what it contained or who sent it. 

In the box, Shayani found a replica of Kohinoor along with a letter. The letter read, "Shyamantakamani, come to the address below to learn more about your namesake diamond."

Shayani dropped the box and letter in shock. How does he know her name?