Golconda diamonds mining and trading
The period of peak production of the Golconda diamonds (in the present-day states Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, India) was under the Qutb Shahi dynasty (16th century – 17th century CE), and the region was also known as the "Golconda Sultanate". The Asaf Jahi dynasty (18th century – 19th century CE) was later dominant, and it was also known as the "Nizam of Hyderabad".[1][2][3] During these times, the diamond mines were leased out to merchants under the supervision of regional governors. The periods of the leases were recorded in days. Local merchants Shantidas Jhaveri and Khushalchand were legendary diamond traders of the region.[4] Large diamonds (over 1 carat) obtained from the mines were reserved for the rulers under terms of the leases.[3]
Actual mining of the Golconda diamonds occurred in
The art of macle, which is a form of rough diamond used to produce jewelry, was first developed in the Golconda region.[9] Of the 38 diamond mines in India at the time, 23 were located in the Golconda Sultanate, of which the Kollur Mine was prominent where 60,000 workers were employed at once, making Golconda the "Diamond Capital" of the past.[2][10]
Most of these mines were fully active until 1830 CE but were gradually abandoned as they became either submerged by the backwaters or depleted due to excessive mining. Thus, mining gradually declined and finally officially closed.[11][12]
In the year 2015, research was conducted by the Centre of Exploration Geophysics (Osmania University) and by the Geological Survey of India. The research identified three zones that contain 21 new potential diamond mining sites near the delta of the Krishna and Bhima rivers, specifically in the riverbeds of the Krishna, Tungabhadra and Penna. According to the research, the sites contain volcanic pipes which probably bear Kimberlite and possibly diamonds.[13][14]
Mining and trading
In the 1600s AD when mines were leased, an agreement—(called Qaul) would be signed under the supervision of regional governors—miners were charged 4 Pagodas per day for 100 workers, while they will pay monthly rent based on the strength of the workers, provisions, and tobacco were provided with 50 percent extra excise duty while large and exclusive carat of diamonds would only be sold to the ruler with concessions, While Bania community—(A merchant and trading community in India) use to have the majority of holdings and during the early 1600 AD some Dutch miners of Dutch East India Company were granted mining rights. In 1621–22 AD when Golconda rulers learned about the demand and selling price for Golconda diamonds in Europe, the rulers seized all the mines and temporarily halt the mining process to increase the demand, due to which the price rises up to double. In 1627, seeing the high prices the Dutch traders stop purchasing, and utilizing this opportunity the British (East India Company) brought investment and purchased the diamonds.[19][20]
Further reading
References
- ^ a b Universal Gazetteer of the World: A Dictionary, Geographical, Historical and Statistical, of the Various Kingdoms, States, Provinces, Cities, Towns, Forts, Harbors. Z. & B. F. Pratt. 1852. p. 357. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ ISBN 9788173712852. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ a b c Nair, Mandira (20 December 2020). "The sparkling centuries". The Week. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ ISBN 9788171880171. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-85719-266-0. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ a b Taylor, Isaac (1830). A Nutshell of Knowledge Concerning the Mine. John Harris. pp. 34–40. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ a b Accum, Friedrich Christian (1808). System of Theoretical and Practical Chemistry. Vol. 1. Kimber and Conrad. pp. 208–210. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "Golconda Fort". Government of Telangana. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Beckett, Kathleen (4 July 2022). "Unraveling the Mystery of Macle Jewelry". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Streeter, Edwin William (1882). Precious Stones and Gems, Their History and Distinguishing Characteristics. George Bell & Sons. pp. 108–110 and 126–131. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Reddy, U.Sudhakar (28 April 2016). "India's iconic lost diamonds". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ Reddy, U.Sudhakar (19 September 2016). "Andhra Pradesh diamond belt is now Submerged". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ Akber, Syed (26 December 2021). "Telangana: Confluence of Musi-Krishna may throw up diamonds, says study". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ Akber, Syed (10 August 2015). "Telangana sitting on a bed of diamonds". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ Mahmood, Parvez (12 April 2019). "Persian adventurer in India". The Friday times. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- S2CID 200082670. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ Mahmood, Parvez (19 April 2019). "Persian adventurer in India". The Friday times. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ISBN 9780300235517. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
Thevenot, 1687, 103
- JSTOR 44147002. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ISBN 9781000395372. Retrieved 28 September 2021.