Latest news with #Kohinoor
News18
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Kohinoor Ka Badla Le Liya': Indian Visitor Drops Rs 10 In British Museum Donation Box
Last Updated: A video shared by a visitor went viral after someone from India had put Rs 10 in the British Museum's donation box. 'The journey from Stealing to Begging,' a comment read. The British Museum is famous for displaying treasures from many countries, but it also faces criticism for holding items taken from other nations long ago. One of its most controversial exhibits is India's Kohinoor diamond, which has stayed in the museum for many years despite ongoing debates about its ownership. The museum, located in London and free to visitors, recently faced new criticism for asking people to donate money. A video shared by a desi visitor went viral for a hilarious reason as someone from India had put just Rs 10 in the donation box, which is less than one British pound. In the video, the visitor shows the donation box with the text, 'Welcome to the British Museum. Suggested donation £5. Every & helps the Museum's work." As the camera gets closer, a Rs 10 note can clearly be seen inside, which grabbed a lot of attention online and left many people laughing. Many are mocking the museum for asking for more money, even though it already holds many valuable things that were stolen in the past. Taking to Instagram, the individual wrote, 'Core memory created. Kisine kohinoor ka badla le liya guys. (Someone finally took Kohinoor's revenge)." Reacting to the post, a user wrote, 'Stole things from the whole world and on top of that, asked for donations? Just British people can do it." Another asked, 'So now they've stopped stealing and started asking nicely?" 'The journey from Stealing to Begging," a comment read. An individual stated, 'Whoever dropped that in the donation box is a legend." Another jokingly mentioned, 'Someone dropped it on purpose." One more added, 'So now they owe us 45 Trillion and 10 rupees." The British Museum and the UK government have never clearly said anything about giving the Kohinoor diamond back to India. But earlier this year, Lisa Nandy, who is in charge of culture, media, and sports in the UK, spoke to ANI news agency and said that both the UK and India have been having talks for some time now. The focus of these talks is on how both countries can work together and share cultural items from the past. Nandy also mentioned that she has spoken about this with her Indian counterpart. view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 12:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
Jacob Diamond: Twice The Size Of The Kohinoor, But This Nizam Used It As A Paperweight
Last Updated: Hyderabad's Nizam once used the Jacob Diamond, worth crores, as a paperweight. Today, this massive gem is secured by the Government of India in Mumbai Mir Mehboob Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad (born 1866), ascended the throne at just three and ruled until 1911. Known for his fondness for Western culture, luxury cars, clothing, and etiquette, he held one of India's grandest royal courts. Among his prized possessions was the Jacob Diamond, reportedly the world's fifth-largest, twice the size of the famed Kohinoor, the latter now part of the British royal crown. How A Diamond Found Its Place In A Shoe The stunning tale of the Jacob Diamond centres around Mehboob Ali Khan, his Armenian servant Albert Abid, and the mysterious jeweller Alexander Malcolm Jacob. In the 1890s, the diamond sparked widespread scandal, not least because of its unusual discovery, wrapped in a shoe and tucked away for years. Albert Abid, the Nizam's personal servant, oversaw his master's wardrobe, jewellery, and personal effects, managing twelve other attendants. Deceptively, Abid sold the Nizam's used clothes back to him as brand new. Over time, this earned him enough wealth to establish a sprawling shop in Hyderabad known simply as 'Abid', later giving the locality its name. In 1891, he acquired the 184.75‑carat 'Imperial' diamond for Rs 21 lakh, intending to sell it to the Nizam for Rs 50 lakh. A promise of Rs 5 lakh commission to Abid was also made should the deal succeed. Though the Nizam initially agreed in principle to the transaction, the British authorities intervened, forbidding such a lavish purchase. The Nizam's own Prime Minister also opposed it. When Jacob eventually presented the gem, the Nizam declared that he did not like it. Jacob claimed this was a ruse to deceive the British, but the Nizam demanded his money back. Jacob's refusal led to drawn‑out litigation. Courtroom Spectacle: A Scandal Across Empires The dispute escalated into an international sensation. Jacob hired top legal counsel, and the case became the first time an Indian prince was summoned before a British commission for testimony; an extraordinary embarrassment. Though Jacob was ultimately acquitted of fraud, he never reclaimed the full amount. From Shoe To Paperweight To National Treasure Following the trail of scandal, Mehboob Ali Khan wrapped the Jacob Diamond in a rag, kept it in an old shoe and stored it in his wardrobe drawer. His successor, Mir Osman Ali Khan, later found the gem and repurposed it as a mere paperweight, showing scant regard for its size or value. Decades later, the diamond was placed into a trust and eventually acquired by the Government of India in 1995 for over Rs 13 crore. It now resides securely at the Reserve Bank of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Fate's Irony: Triumphs And Downfalls Albert Abid's deceptions led him to amass significant wealth, ultimately settling in England with his family. Conversely, Alexander Jacob lost not just money, but reputation, forced to close shop and spend his remaining days as a drifter. These entwined lives and the diamond's curious path make the Jacob Diamond one of the world's most compelling royal gems. Location : Hyderabad, India, India First Published: July 28, 2025, 14:34 IST News india Jacob Diamond: Twice The Size Of The Kohinoor, But This Nizam Used It As A Paperweight Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
3 days ago
- General
- India.com
This Indian man used a diamond worth crores as paperweight, his name was..., where is that diamond now?
New Delhi: Among all the Nizams who ruled Hyderabad, the sixth Nizam Mir Mehboob Ali Khan was the most cheerful and fun-loving king. He was very fond of western things, be it clothes, cars, manners or habits. Born in 1866, Mehboob Ali ascended the throne at the age of three after the death of his father Afzal-ud-Daula and ruled till 1911. Mehboob Ali held an extremely grand court in Hyderabad, which many native rulers of India tried to imitate. He was also once the richest man in the world. What is the Jacob diamond? He was fond of expensive jewellery and precious diamonds. His valuable collection included many magnificent jewellery including the famous necklace of Marie Antoinette of France. However, the most famous in his collection was the Jacob diamond which is said to be the fifth largest diamond in the world. The size of Jacob is twice that of the famous Kohinoor. But what makes this diamond even more interesting is how it was found. It was found in a shoe. The person after whom it was named was a very mysterious Mr. Jacob. How did all this happen? Let's find out. What is the story of the Jacob diamond? According to Peopletree, the story of the Jacob diamond revolves around three very interesting characters. The sixth Nizam of Hyderabad Mehboob Ali Khan, his Armenian servant Albert Abid and a mysterious jeweler named Alexander Malcolm Jacob. Mir Mehboob Ali Khan ascended the throne of the richest and most powerful state in 1869. Being a kind and compassionate person, he was known as the 'beloved' king of Hyderabad. Stories are prevalent about him that he used to roam around the city in disguise and help those in need. It is said that he was so generous that no person who came to him for help returned empty-handed. He was also very fond of collecting diamonds. Who was Albert Abid? Albert Abid was an Armenian man and Mehboob Ali Khan's right hand. As the Nizam's servant, Abid's duties included looking after the Nizam's clothes, shoes, watches, jewellery and other belongings. It is said that 12 servants prepared the Nizam's clothes and Abid supervised them. But Abid also took advantage of his position. Who was Alexander Malcolm Jacob? Alexander Malcolm Jacob was a gem and antiques dealer. Through Abid, he was in regular contact with Mehboob Ali Khan. In 1891, Jacob was preparing to make the biggest deal of his life. He had planned to buy the 184.75 carat 'Imperial' diamond recently found from South Africa from a London consortium for Rs 21 lakh and sell it to the Nizam for Rs 50 lakh. With the help of Abid, Jacob met the Nizam. The Nizam told him that he would buy the diamond which was in London at that time. The condition was that the Nizam would be free to decide whether he liked the gem or not. That is, he could still say 'like' or 'dislike'. The Nizam then transferred a bank deposit of Rs 23 lakh to Jacob so that the diamond could be brought to India. Why was a case filed against Jacob? In July 1891, Jacob met the Nizam in his palace. The clever Jacob presented the diamond to him on a silver tray covered with red velvet. Mehboob Ali Khan took the diamond in his hands, looked at it a few times and said just two words, 'Do not like it'. Jacob was stunned. The biggest deal of his life had fallen through. A few days later, Jacob sent a telegram to his bank asking them to send the money to London after the Nizam agreed to buy the diamond. Later he claimed that the Nizam had told him through Abid that the 'disappearance' was a mere formality to fool the British. He actually wanted to buy the diamond. However, it appears that the Nizam changed his mind and asked for his deposit back. Jacob refused, saying the deal was done. This led to a long trial for that money. Jacob hired some of the best lawyers of British India and gave the Nizam a tough fight. The trial was long and expensive and created a sensation across India and even the international media. Eventually Jacob was acquitted of fraud charges by the court, but he did not receive the balance amount. How this diamond became a paperweight? After this trial, Mehboob Ali Khan did not want to have anything to do with the jinxed Jacob diamond. So he wrapped it in a dirty cloth, put it in an old shoe and kept it at the back of a drawer. Mehboob Ali Khan died in 1911. His son and successor, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, is said to have found the diamond in his father's shoe and used it as a paperweight. Irrespective of its size and price, the Jacob diamond had caused so much embarrassment to his father that the new Nizam also did not want to have anything to do with it. Eventually, decades later, the Jacob diamond was transferred to a trust and in 1995, the Indian government acquired it. It is kept safe in the vaults of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in Mumbai. The Government of India bought the Jacob diamond from the Nizam's trust by paying more than Rs 13 crore.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu' day two box office: Pawan Kalyan's film crosses ₹50 crore but sees dip in collection
Pawan Kalyan's Hari Hara Veera Malluenjoyed a good opening on July 24, 2025 but suffered a dip in collection on the second day of its release. Directed by Jyothi Krishna and Krish Jagarlamudi, the movie is bankrolled by A Dayakar Rao and AM Rathnam. Hari Hara Veera Mallu, after facing multiple delays, released with great fanfare in the Telugu states. However, the historical drama opened to mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. According to Sacnilk, the pan-Indian movie collected ₹34.75 crore on the opening day. On the second day, earned just ₹7.77 crore at the box office. Overall, Hari Hara Veera Mallu has cross the ₹50-crore mark globally, managing to earn ₹55.27 crore. ALSO READ: Pawan Kalyan on 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu': I have not abandoned my film In the movie, Veera Mallu plays an outlaw who is tasked with retrieving the Kohinoor from the Mughals. Niddhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol and Sathyaraj are the other actors in prominent roles. The Hindu review of the movie said, 'The closing moments are reminiscent of SS Rajamouli's RRR. It is hard to elaborate without giving too much away, but the intended high point lacks both conviction and emotional weight. If there is a second part, it will need far sharper writing and more assured filmmaking.'
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1' movie review: This ambitious misfire solely relies on Pawan Kalyan's star power
Hari Hara Veera Mallu – Part 1: Sword Vs Spirit, with the tagline 'battle for dharma', was in the making for over five years. The delay was partly due to the pandemic, and later, the lead actor Pawan Kalyan taking on his role as Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The film, originally directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, changed hands midway, with A M Jyothi Krishna stepping in to see it through. The shift is visible on screen. This period drama, blending fact and fiction, often loses its way and feels stretched. Pawan Kalyan plays Veera Mallu, a rebel who steals from the rich and helps the poor. The film takes creative liberties to build a fictional story, leaning into the actor's public image and his alignment with sanatana dharma. Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 (Telugu) Direction: Jyothi Krishna and Krish Jagarlamudi Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol, Sathyaraj Run time: 162 minutes Story: An outlaw, Veera Mallu, is tasked with retrieving the Kohinoor from the Mughals. He has other plans. Kalyan refers to himself as a jana sevakudu, a nod to his political outfit, the Jana Sena Party. On screen, he plays the familiar son-of-the-soil figure — a saviour of the oppressed. In the run-up to the release, the makers shared that his character drew inspiration from actor-turned-politicians NT Rama Rao and MG Ramachandran, known for championing social causes in their films. As the story unfolds, this persona is further underlined. Veera Mallu is sent to retrieve the Kohinoor from Aurangzeb's (Bobby Deol) peacock throne. He is no common thief. His mission is tied to protecting Hindus, who are shown being forced to pay the jizya tax to practise their faith. To an extent, the film avoids turning this into a polarised 'us versus them' narrative. Two of Veera Mallu's trusted aides are Muslims. The villain here is clearly Aurangzeb. While this approach might echo current political sentiments, the film does not offer the emotional depth to keep us truly engaged. The narrative begins in 1650 AD at the Kolluru mines near the Krishna river. Starving labourers stumble upon precious stones, but go hungry, jostling for favour among their superiors. When a young miner asks if their lives have any worth, the response lays bare the hierarchy — local landlords, then the Qutb Shahis, and finally the Mughals. Veera Mallu's entry is staged in a manner reminiscent of Baahubali. But it is a weak imitation. Think of Sivagami and baby Baahubali in the turbulent river. This one tries something similar, but lacks the creative punch. The first half drags along, saved occasionally by M.M. Keeravani's music. While the story feels patchy, a couple of action scenes show Veera Mallu's knack for stealing diamonds and standing up for the oppressed. A wrestling sequence highlights Pawan Kalyan's martial arts background, and his past as a stunt choreographer adds value to the 18-minute pre-climax action stretch. But everything in between feels flat. Veera Mallu is styled like a homegrown superhero — staring down wild animals and later doling out advice on man-animal conflict. But without sharp writing or convincing visual effects, it does not land. A host of actors pass through with little impact, their roles underwritten. Sathyaraj, Nasser, and Kabir Duhan Singh leave brief impressions. Bobby Deol looks disengaged as Aurangzeb. Nidhhi Agerwal as Panchami has a strong screen presence and her role offers a small twist. The late Kota Srinivasa Rao appears in a short scene — his final film. Despite being set in the 17th century, Kalyan enters the frame much like he does in his modern films. His costumes steer clear of period styling, possibly to reflect his outlaw status, but he still stands apart, neither noble nor peasant. While he has screen presence, that alone cannot rescue a film that loses its way. As the film progresses, the storytelling and visuals unravel further. The VFX are distracting, even Adipurush looks polished by comparison. The avalanche is marred by fake-looking rocks, and the less said about the tornado, the better. The Charminar set lacks authenticity, and most others fail to impress or feel lived-in. The final hour is centred on the battle for dharma. This portion leans heavily on religious sentiment, in an attempt to offset the wavering narrative. The closing moments are reminiscent of SS Rajamouli's RRR. It is hard to elaborate without giving too much away, but the intended high point lacks both conviction and emotional weight. If there is a second part, it will need far sharper writing and more assured filmmaking.
