|
DESIGN FOR BEAUTY
It
never was located. The belief is that it never left India. The further
belief is that it was in the possession of the Nizams, the name of the
rulers of Hyderabad since 1713, for they were of breed that had been
taught to hate those who removed diamonds found on the banks of the
sacred river, especially when they were allowed to leave the country
and go into the infidel hands of European monarchs.
The
present Nizam of Hyderabad is reputed to own about $150,000,000 worth
of gems. In point of fact, he has purchased in the past few years some
outstanding diamonds. It is thought unlikely that he would ever let
this one out of his grasp, if it ever had come into his possession.
Furthermore, all attempts to find out whether he possesses it have been
in vain.
Nor
can you find out about it from the people of Hyderabad. They are
close-mouthed. They profess to know nothing of the Nizam of Hyderabad
Diamond—as it has come to be called—but they know of the ancient curse
upon those who discussed it against the pleasure of the Nizam. And the
men and women, sitting back from the Godavari, begging for pennies,
will not speak, even if you offer them many pennies. They shake their
heads.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(153)
|
||
|
|
||