History often unveils tremendous treasures, valuables that were once unknown or remained elusive for centuries. However, pursuing every rumor that surfaces can prove futile and often unnecessary. Historians, and even some connoisseurs, often let their imagination run wild — yet not every idea leads to a logical explanation or a verifiable claim.
Curiosity in the term Zanskar Crown has been gaining momentum, references are vague and wild guesses have been making the rounds. A fairly substantial number of experts seem to agree that, the term refers to a scintillating crown worn by a Maharaja of Kashmir. Another set of opinions claims that the Zanskar Crown, happens to be a fine Kashmir blue sapphire.
Trying to logically connect Zanskar, a Maharaja and an amazing Kashmir blue sapphire – might deliver a spellbinding story but, nothing beyond that.
ZANSKAR RANGE
The Zanskar Range is a mountain range located in the union territory of Ladakh (historically part of Kashmir). It is a branch of the greater Himalayas and runs roughly parallel to the main Himalayan range. Fine Kashmir blue sapphires were historically mined in the Zanskar and Padar regions, where deposits discovered in the late 19th century, produced gems of exceptional color and with a velvety luster.
A massive glacier in this region, has been described by some travel experts as the crown of Zanskar, the outstanding glory of the region. This glacier does exist even today and calling it the Zanskar Crown, would not surprise many.
MAHARAJAS AND CROWNS
Commenting on the possibility of Zanskar Crown referring to a crown, worn by the Maharaja of the Kashmir region. Since some rumors talk about a grand crown, with a big Kashmir blue sapphire in the center – it is relevant to put everything in the right time frame.
Kashmir sapphire mining was fully active between about 1882 and the early 1900s. While smaller Kashmir blue sapphires did, get extracted from that region for a few decades (even after the early 1900s) – the grander Kashmir blue sapphires, were thoroughly mined by then. Three maharajas ruled the Kashmir region from 1857 to 1947.
These Maharajas were:
| Ranbir Singh (1857–1885) |
| Pratap Singh (1885–1925) |
| Hari Singh (1925–1947) |
Analyzing the available images of the Maharajas of Kashmir, it is clear that these royals never wore crowns. Turbans seem to be the official headgear, these turbans were often ornated with intricately designed turban ornaments. It is obvious that the presumption that, the Zanskar Crown referred to a lavish crown worn the Maharaja(s) of Kashmir, is wrong.
KASHMIR SAPPHIRES
Kashmir sapphires have earned a legendary reputation in the gem world because of their unparalleled beauty, extreme rarity, and royal connections. Kashmir sapphires are prized for their intense, cornflower-blue color, often described as having a “velvety” or “soft” glow. This comes from fine rutile silk inclusions that scatter light within the gem, giving it a distinctive, almost ethereal appearance.
Full sapphire mining activity in the Zanskar and Padar locations of Kashmir, lasted from 1882 to early the early 1900s. A few spectacular Kashmir blue sapphires earned fame, the larger ones were generally presented to the Maharajas. Reference is at times made to a large cushion blue sapphire, the piece was apparently worn in a necklace by Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885–1925). Not much was known about the big Kashmir blue sapphire or the necklace, in later years. Financial problems were not uncommon given the lavish lifestyles, that the Maharajas were known to lead. Unconfirmed whispers have claimed, that the big blue sapphire was sold by Maharaja Pratap Singh, to tide over a financial crisis.
Relating the above information, about the big blue sapphire necklace to the Zanskar Crown, would at this moment seem like another piece of guesswork! Names like Zanskar Blue and Zanskar Sapphire have previously been rumored. While it would do no harm to presume that, the name Zanskar Crown refers to the blue sapphire from the Maharaja’s necklace – a more detailed explanation would be required, to raise interest levels among collectors and experts.
CONCLUSIONS
A conclusive interpretation to the term Zanskar Crown remains elusive, with the lack of sufficient details. Nature and environment experts have, related the name to a massive glacier in the Zanskar region of Kashmir! While the name could refer to a top notch Kashmir sapphire, the narrative that it adorned a crown worn by the Maharajas of Kashmir, seems illogical.
