KOHINOOR
A PRICELESS JEWEL AND A CONTROVERSIAL LEGACY
Few diamonds in the world have a history as fascinating and controversial as the Kohinoor. Meaning “Mountain of Light” in Persian, this magnificent diamond is admired for its brilliance and beauty. However, its story goes far beyond its physical appearance. It is a tale of powerful rulers, changing empires, conquest, colonialism and the continuing demand for the return of cultural treasures.
Today, the Kohinoor is part of the British Crown Jewels, displayed at the Tower of London. For many Indians, it represents not only a precious gemstone but also an important part of the country's historical and cultural heritage.
WHAT IS THE KOHINOOR DIAMOND?
The Kohinoor is a colourless diamond weighing approximately 105.6 carats in its present cut. It is one of the most famous diamonds in the world and is known for its exceptional historical significance.
The diamond is currently set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, which forms part of the British Crown Jewels. It is preserved in the Tower of London, where visitors can view the historic royal collection.
Although its exact origins remain uncertain, the Kohinoor is widely believed to have come from the diamond-rich region of present-day Andhra Pradesh. Its early history is surrounded by legends, and several details about its journey have been debated by historians.
THE JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY
1. From India to the Delhi Sultanate
The Kohinoor is traditionally associated with the diamond-mining region near Guntur in present-day Andhra Pradesh. Some accounts connect its early history with the Kakatiya dynasty, which ruled parts of southern India.
Over time, the diamond is believed to have passed into the hands of different rulers. It became associated with the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, whose emperors possessed some of the most magnificent treasures of their time.
2. From the Mughals to Persia
In 1739, the Persian ruler Nader Shah invaded the Mughal Empire and captured Delhi. He carried away enormous wealth, including the famous Peacock Throne and numerous precious jewels.
The diamond became associated with him during this period. According to popular accounts, Nader Shah gave it the name Kohinoor, or “Mountain of Light”.
3. From Afghanistan to Punjab
Following Nader Shah's death in 1747, the diamond passed through the hands of rulers connected with the Afghan Durrani dynasty.
Eventually, it reached Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the powerful Sikh ruler of Punjab, who established Lahore as the centre of his kingdom. The Kohinoor became one of the most treasured possessions of his royal collection.
4. From Punjab to Britain
After Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death, the Sikh Empire weakened amid internal struggles and conflicts with the British East India Company.
Following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Punjab was annexed by the East India Company in 1849. Under the terms of the Treaty of Lahore, the young Maharaja Duleep Singh was required to surrender the Kohinoor to Queen Victoria.
The diamond was subsequently transported to Britain and presented to the Queen in 1850. Its transfer remains a central part of the controversy surrounding its ownership.
5. The Diamond Is Recut
When the Kohinoor was displayed in London in 1851, some visitors were reportedly disappointed by its appearance. The diamond was therefore recut in 1852 to improve its brilliance.
This process reduced its weight considerably, leaving it at approximately 105.6 carats, its present weight. Although the recutting changed its appearance, it helped create the brilliant form in which the diamond is known today.
THE KOHINOOR IN THE PRESENT DAY
Today, the Kohinoor forms part of the British Crown Jewels and is set in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. It is kept at the Tower of London, alongside other historic royal treasures.
Despite being held in Britain, the diamond continues to attract worldwide attention. Its history raises important questions about the ownership of cultural objects acquired during periods of conquest and colonial rule.
THE DEMAND FOR ITS RETURN
India has repeatedly expressed its desire to bring the Kohinoor back. The demand gained renewed public attention following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
However, India is not the only country associated with claims to the diamond. Pakistan and Afghanistan have also been linked to demands for its return, while its passage through Persian rulers adds further complexity to the question of ownership.
Each claim reflects a different interpretation of the diamond's history. For India, the Kohinoor is closely connected with its historical heritage. For others, its journey through successive kingdoms provides grounds for questioning which modern country should receive it.
WHY HAS BRITAIN NOT RETURNED THE DIAMOND?
Britain has rejected calls for the return of the Kohinoor. In 2010, British Prime Minister David Cameron argued against returning it, warning that agreeing to one such demand could lead to numerous claims for other objects held in British museums and collections.
There are also practical and historical difficulties. The diamond passed between rulers long before modern national borders were established. Several present-day countries can point to different periods in its history.
Moreover, Britain maintains that the diamond was transferred under the Treaty of Lahore. Critics, however, question whether a transfer imposed in the aftermath of military defeat and colonial annexation can be regarded as a voluntary gift.
The disagreement therefore involves more than legal documents. It also concerns historical justice, the consequences of colonialism and the rights of nations to recover important parts of their heritage.
CAN THE KOHINOOR BE RETURNED TO INDIA?
The legal position is complicated. India's Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, provides a framework for regulating antiquities and art treasures, but it does not by itself establish a straightforward legal route for reclaiming the Kohinoor from Britain.
In 2016, the Indian government addressed the issue in an affidavit before the Supreme Court. The government's position at the time was that the diamond had been transferred to Britain and could not simply be reclaimed as stolen property under the applicable legal framework.
The central question is whether the diamond should be considered a lawful transfer under the treaty of 1849 or an object acquired through colonial domination. Resolving this question would require consideration of historical evidence, international law and the positions of the governments concerned.
THE UNESCO CONVENTION OF 1970
An important international agreement in discussions about cultural heritage is the UNESCO Convention of 1970, formally known as the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
The convention seeks to combat the illegal trade in cultural objects, including items of historical, artistic, scientific and religious importance.
Article 7 addresses cooperation concerning certain cultural property removed unlawfully, while Article 15 makes clear that participating countries may enter into special agreements for the restitution of cultural property removed before the convention came into force between them.
However, the convention does not automatically require the return of every historical object held abroad. Its application depends on the circumstances, the relevant legal provisions and agreements between the countries involved.
Since the Kohinoor was transferred in 1849, long before the 1970 convention, its return cannot be determined simply by applying the convention retrospectively. Nevertheless, the principles of international cooperation and restitution remain relevant to the broader debate.
A QUESTION OF HISTORY, OWNERSHIP AND IDENTITY
The Kohinoor's story illustrates how a single object can carry different meanings for different people. It can be admired as a magnificent gemstone, studied as a historical artefact and viewed as a symbol of colonial exploitation.
Supporters of its return argue that cultural treasures should be restored to the countries and communities from which they originated, especially when their transfer occurred under colonial rule. Those opposing automatic restitution point to questions of legal ownership, the passage of time and the difficulty of deciding which country has the strongest claim.
The debate also raises a wider question: should historical objects be judged only by the laws and treaties of their time, or should modern principles of cultural heritage and historical justice influence decisions today?
CONCLUSION
The Kohinoor is far more than a diamond. Its journey through Indian kingdoms, the Mughal Empire, Persia, Afghanistan, Punjab and Britain reflects centuries of political change and military conflict.
Although it remains in the Tower of London, the demand for its return continues to spark discussion about history, ownership and cultural identity. Whether or not the diamond ever returns to India, its story reminds us that the value of a historical treasure lies not only in its rarity or brilliance but also in the memories, traditions and history it represents.
The Kohinoor may be made of diamond, but its greatest significance lies in the questions it continues to raise about the past and the meaning of heritage.
