Note 17 — Preface

A diamond ring was presented to my son, S͟hāh-Jahān, as part of the offering of Qut̤bu-l-mulk. It was of the value of 1,000 muhars, and on it there appeared three letters of equal size and of good form, such that they made the word Lillahi (for God). This diamond had been sent, as it was reckoned one of the marvels of the world. In fact, veins and scratches are flaws in precious stones, but it was generally thought that the marks on this one were fabricated. Moreover, the diamond did not come from any celebrated mine. As my son, S͟hāh-Jahān, wished that it should be sent to my brother, S͟hāh ʿAbbās, as a souvenir of the conquest of the Deccan it was sent to the Shah along with other gifts.17