The case of the ‘bad luck’ diamond: A Madras mystery

There are supposed to be 22 famous diamonds in the world, including the Koh-i-noor (Mountain of Light), today in the British Royal Treasury, and the Derya-i-nur or Sea of Light, at the National Bank of Iran. There is another that traces its history to Madras, the illfated Pigot Diamond. So, what’s the story behind this 47.38 carat (9.476 g) diamond, once the largest in England?

The story goes that in 1749, after the liberation of Madras from French occupation, it was found that many tombstones were brought from elsewhere and placed in St Mary’s churchyard. It became necessary to identify the tombstones. It was while digging up the tomb of Lord Hobart, the former governor of Madras (who had died in 1875) that the fort authorities found a granite slab with a simple inscription “In memoriam” laid over the leadencased coffin. Though there were no other marks, it was believed to be that of Lord George Pigot.

Born on March 4, 1719, Pigot joined the civil service and came to India at the age of 17. While a junior merchant, he was imprisoned when the French took over Madras. Despite the East India Company getting control of Madras again, and his subsequent release, a disgruntled Pigot opted to return to England.

In 1750, Pigot was back in India, appointed in the Fort St David Council in Cuddalore. Governor John Saunders put him in charge of the large stores where export goods were stored at Vriddhachalam. He was then sent to Visakhapatnam to take over as chief.

In 1754, Pigot returned to Fort St David and then to Madras. At this time, there were political problems in the Deccan between the Muslims and Marathas over collections of their dues as rent, which was affecting the British administration. With the job proving a considerable strain, Pigot resigned in 1763 and returned to England.

Back home he was decorated and sent to Madras as governor for the second time. He arrived on board the Greenville on September 9, 1775. When he disembarked from the ship, he had no idea about the misfortune that was to befall him.

And it was all said to be because of the diamond he later “acquired”. At the time, diamonds, mostly mined from Golconda, were sent from Fort St George. It is reported that Pigot either bought the diamond or it was given to him during his term as governor.

But ever since he acquired it came a flood of troubles. During his first term as governor, Pigot compelled the Nawab of Arcot to enter into a treaty with the Raja of Tanjore. Things needed to be sorted out with regard to Tanjore and that was one of the reasons he was chosen to be in Madras for his second term. There were opposing views about returning Tanjore to the Raja, by Walajah and the European creditors who had to get their money back from Walajah. These divided influences affected the council.

On March 30, 1776, Pigot went to Tanjore to reinstate the Raja, but regarding the sum to be paid by the Raja there were different opinions. When he put his idea as a motion it was rejected by a majority of seven to five. In addition to this, when Pigot appointed a council to look after the affairs of Tanjore further differences arose, resulting in Pigot placing councillors under suspension. Not just that, in a complete twist, the majority passed a motion ordering Pigot to be taken prisoner as they thought he was acting against the interest of the East India Company.

Also, as it was rumoured that he had accepted the diamond from the Raja as a gift, which was frowned upon by the Company especially from its officers presiding over disputes, it was considered a misuse of powers.
James Stuart, the chief commander of the army, though loyal to Pigot, arrested and delivered him to the charge of Major Horne, commanding at St Thomas Mount, with directions that he be treated with “every mark of respect”.

Pigot was kept under home arrest and as a respected army officer was allowed to freely move around and pursue his hobby of gardening. To his bad luck, his hobby proved to be his undoing. For most part of his confinement at the Mount, Lord Pigot was in good health, but on March 5, 1777, he fell ill, reported to be a result of spending long hours exposed to the sun while gardening, as stated by his physician. By April-end, the doctor informed the council that Pigot was seriously ill. On May 10, the guards were withdrawn and on the following day Lord Pigot died.
So, what happened to the diamond after Pigot died?

Lord Pigot bequeathed the diamond to his brothers Robert and Hugh, and his sister Margaret. They didn’t really want it on account of its bad luck; it was auctioned at Christie’s in 1802. There were rumours that at one point the diamond was purchased by Napoleon’s mother, who wore it proudly on her breast, but when her son was sent into exile, put the diamond up for sale to help him.

It was finally bought by Albanian ruler Ali Pasha, who when mortally wounded by Ottoman general Reshid Pasha in 1822, ordered that the diamond be crushed to powder in his presence. And there ends the tale of the ill-fated diamond from Madras, a model of which is in the British Museum today.
(The writer is a history enthusiast)