The most famous jewel worn by British royalty on stately occasions, the spectacular 105-carat Kohinoor diamond, is one that several countries, including India, say they would like back.
Rakesh Sinha, a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, told The Washington Post that the Koh-i-Noor symbolized the monarchy’s “unapologetic” link to a past that was “barbaric and exploitative,” adding that the jewel must be returned to India by way of recompense.If Camilla wears the Koh-i-Noor in her crown, it “shows the British people and government are carrying the legacy of their colonialism,” he said. “It exhibits the loot plunder and exploitation of India by them.
“Every person in India has heard of this stone and wants it back. Clearly this is massive importance to India, but also Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan,” said William Dalrymple, co-author of “Most British people, however, are barely aware of it, in part because teaching about the British Empire doesn’t feature prominently in school curriculums, said the author, who splits his time between Britain and India.
“They learn about the Roman Empire, all sorts of empires, but not the British Empire,” Dalrymple said. “For them, the Koh-i-Noor is usually a local Indian restaurant or a brand of pencils or occasionally a trip to the Tower of London.” The gem was believed to have been mined somewhere in India and ended up in the possession of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a Sikh ruler of Punjab, whose heir “gave” it to Queen Victoria in 1850 after the Sikh empire was defeated by the British.
The diamond was eventually placed in the crowns worn by the wives of Britain’s kings, including Queen Alexandra, the wife of Edward VII; and Queen Mary, the wife of George V; and finally Queen Elizabeth II’s mother during the coronation of her husband, King George VI.During a 2010 visit to India, then-Prime Minister David Cameron was asked about returning the stone. “If you say ‘yes’ to one request, you suddenly find the British Museum would be empty,” he said.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gambia police probe links child deaths to India-made syrupsPolice seize tens of thousands of contaminated syrup bottles that were imported into the West African country via a US-based firm, officials say, following an outcry over deaths of some 69 children.
Read more »
India halts cough syrup production at factory linked to Gambia deathsIndian authorities have halted production of cough syrup at a factory of Maiden Pharmaceuticals, a state minister said on Wednesday, after a that the medicine may be linked to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia.
Read more »
Apple, Samsung to upgrade phone software in India for 5G rollout by DecApple Inc and Samsung Electronics will upgrade software for their 5G-enabled phones in India by December, the companies said on Wednesday, as Indian authorities press mobile phone manufacturers to adopt the high-speed network.
Read more »
India orders factory to halt cough syrup production after Gambia deathsIndia halts production of cough syrup at a factory of Maiden Pharmaceuticals following WHO's report saying the medicine may be linked to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia
Read more »
Heavy rains to delay sugar cane crushing in top producer IndiaHeavy rainfall has spoiled Indian sugar mills' plans for an early start to cane crushing so raw sugar exports could get underway before supplies start coming on the market from rival exporter Thailand, a senior industry official and dealers said.
Read more »
India retail inflation picks up in Sept, suggesting further rate hikesIndia's retail inflation accelerated in September to a five-month high of 7.41% year-on-year as food prices surged, raising fears of further interest-rate hikes when the central bank meets for its next policy review in December.
Read more »