The Cyrus cylinder, also known as the Cyrus the Great cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script. The cylinder was created following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian king Nabonidus and replaced him as ruler, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
The cylinder has been considered as the world's first known charter of human rights, as there are passages in the text have been interpreted as expressing Cyrus’ respect for humanity. It promotes a form of religious tolerance and freedom, and the abolishment of slavery. He allowed his subjects to continue worshipping their gods, despite his own religious beliefs. In 1971, the United Nations published a translation of the document in all the official U.N. languages. A replica of the Cyrus Cylinder has reportedly been on display at United Nations headquarters in New York City as a tribute to Cyrus' display of respect and tolerance.
Nevertheless, some scholars have rejected this view, arguing that the concept of human rights is alien to the historical context.
Showing posts with label Story from History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Story from History. Show all posts
The Kohinoor Diamond-Britain's Pride & India's Lose
The famous Kohinoor diamond was acquired from Golconda, a kingdom between the Krishna and Godavari rivers famous for premium quality diamonds in ancient India.
Kohindoor diamond was a large stone originally weighing 186 carats. Also, has a pleasing yellowish tinge and excelent clarity as well. The stone changed hands in several times, but it was never sold or bought. Historical happenings of conflict, coencion, deceit, plunder, etc percipitated its movements from one place to another.
It went from Golconda to Malwa. From malwa into the hands of Mughals atDelhi. Nadir Shah of Persia plundered it from the Mughals and took it to Iran only to be lost to the Afghan rulers. Renjith Singh of Punjab got it from the afghans as a reward. He in fact, willed it to be surrendered before the Lord Jagannath at Puri, Orissa. But his son Duleep Singh was obliged to hand it over to queen Victoria at the behest of Lodr Dalhousie in the 1850's.
The stone was cut and trimmed to the present size of 106 carats. Queen Victoria, the then British monarch had mounted Kohinoor on her crown. And a belief spread taht the stone did carry a curse. So, it was earmarked as a stone for the crown to be worn by the King's consort only. At present, Queen Elizabeth doesnot have it on her crown; but it is on gorgeous display in the Tower of London as the crown jewell collection.
Kohindoor diamond was a large stone originally weighing 186 carats. Also, has a pleasing yellowish tinge and excelent clarity as well. The stone changed hands in several times, but it was never sold or bought. Historical happenings of conflict, coencion, deceit, plunder, etc percipitated its movements from one place to another.
It went from Golconda to Malwa. From malwa into the hands of Mughals atDelhi. Nadir Shah of Persia plundered it from the Mughals and took it to Iran only to be lost to the Afghan rulers. Renjith Singh of Punjab got it from the afghans as a reward. He in fact, willed it to be surrendered before the Lord Jagannath at Puri, Orissa. But his son Duleep Singh was obliged to hand it over to queen Victoria at the behest of Lodr Dalhousie in the 1850's.
The stone was cut and trimmed to the present size of 106 carats. Queen Victoria, the then British monarch had mounted Kohinoor on her crown. And a belief spread taht the stone did carry a curse. So, it was earmarked as a stone for the crown to be worn by the King's consort only. At present, Queen Elizabeth doesnot have it on her crown; but it is on gorgeous display in the Tower of London as the crown jewell collection.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Custom Search