Will India Get Kohinoor Back? The Tale Of Stolen Diamond
Kohinoor is touted as a symbol of British colonial loot.
Conversations about Kohinoor have once again started making headlines. Lisa Nandy, Britain’s Secretary of State for Culture, hinted at an ongoing discussion between India and the UK regarding historical artefacts, including the iconic diamond. One of the largest cut diamonds in the world— the 105-carat Kohinoor—shares a long history in pre-partition India and the British Raj. Believed to be held by rulers in India before landing with the East India Company and then with Queen Victoria after the annexation of Punjab, Kohinoor is touted as a symbol of British colonial loot.
Will India Get Kohinoor Back?
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Speaking of which, the Indian-origin British minister stated that discussions are underway between both countries to benefit people and offer access to many of the cultural artifacts.
“We have been talking between the UK and India for quite some time about the way that we think we can collaborate much more closely together to make sure that people both in the UK and in India can benefit from and have access to many of the cultural artefacts that stem back to the very different era. This is something that I’ve discussed with my counterpart," Nandy told ANI upon being asked about returning the Kohinoor to India.
With the topic now reignited regarding the precious gemstone’s possible return to India, read along to know more about the Kohinoor’s history.
Kohinoor History
While the origin of the Kohinoor diamond remains a debatable topic, it is believed to have been mined from Golconda in present-day Karnataka. Further, there are accounts that the diamond was found in the Kollur mine in present-day Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district in the 13th century.
As per NBC News, the Kohinoor eventually found its way through several dynasties, beginning with the Mughals in the 16th century, then with the Persians and the Afghans, before Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh obtained it in 1813. Ranjit Singh’s son, Maharaja Duleep Singh, also held onto the diamond until the British annexed Punjab and took it over. India’s then-governor-general, Lord Dalhousie, coerced Singh into “gifting" the diamond to Queen Victoria, which was then sent to England.
Victoria wore the diamonds as a brooch, eventually making it a part of the British Crown Jewels. Ever since, the Kohinoor diamond has been stirring a public debate, with many favouring its return to India.
Past Attempts
Back in October 2022, India signalled about exploring ways to bring back the diamond, with the then Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stating, “We have said that we have been raising this matter from time to time with the UK government, and we will continue to explore ways and means for obtaining a satisfactory resolution of the matter." On the contrary, the Indian government once told the Supreme Court that it could not force the UK to return the diamond as it was “gifted" and not snatched.
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