UPPCS Mains 2015

Mughal-Deccan Relations

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Kohinoor diamond was presented to Shah Jahan by:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept The Kohinoor's journey into the Mughal treasury is a tale of high-stakes diplomacy and shifting loyalties in the Deccan.

Explanation Mir Jumla, a wealthy diamond merchant and general under the Golconda Sultan, defected to the Mughal side. To secure Shah Jahan's favor, he presented him with the legendary Kohinoor diamond (then roughly 787 carats) in its uncut form around 1656.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Mir Jumla used the diamond as an 'entry gift' to join the Mughal court after falling out with the Sultan of Golconda.
Logic 2: While the diamond came from the Golconda mines (under Qutb Shah), it was specifically Mir Jumla who acted as the giver to Shah Jahan.

Active Recall

Question

Where was the Kohinoor placed by Shah Jahan?

Answer

It was famously embedded in the ornate 'Peacock Throne' (Takht-i-Taus) as a symbol of Mughal splendor.

Core Insight

The gift of the Kohinoor by Mir Jumla signaled the beginning of the final Mughal push to annex the wealthy Deccan Sultanates.