The Koh-i-Noor diamond, a 105.6-carat gem set in the British Crown Jewels, has long been a subject of dispute over its colonial origins. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently reignited the debate by suggesting King Charles should return the diamond to India during his state visit to the US.
Recent Controversy
On Wednesday, Mayor Mamdani, who is Indian American, told reporters ahead of a meeting with King Charles that he would encourage the monarch to return the Koh-i-Noor. The remark came during the third day of the royal couple's US visit, before a ceremony commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks. While Mamdani later met the King at the event, it remains unclear if the issue was raised directly. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, and Mamdani's office did not confirm any discussion.
Historical Journey
The diamond's first written record dates to 1628 during the Mughal Empire, where it adorned Shah Jahan's Peacock Throne. In 1739, Persian ruler Nader Shah looted it from Delhi. It later passed through Central Asian rulers before Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh brought it back to India in 1813. After Singh's death in 1839, the British East India Company sought the diamond as a symbol of colonial power. In 1849, the British forced Singh's 10-year-old son, Duleep Singh, to sign a treaty ceding the diamond to Queen Victoria.
British Crown Jewels
Queen Victoria displayed the diamond at the 1851 Great Exhibition, but it was deemed lackluster. Prince Albert had it recut, reducing its weight by half but enhancing its brilliance. It was later set in crowns of Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, and the Queen Mother. Since 1911, it has been part of the Crown Jewels, currently on display at the Tower of London. In 1937, it was moved to the Queen Mother's crown, which was placed on her coffin in 2002. For King Charles's coronation, Queen Camilla used Queen Mary's crown with a replica to avoid controversy.
Ongoing Dispute
India has repeatedly demanded the diamond's return since independence in 1947, most recently in 2016. The Indian government has stated it will make every effort to bring back the gem. The diamond's value is estimated between $140 million and $400 million, though many consider it priceless. Historians Anita Anand and William Dalrymple's book Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond details the forced acquisition. Anand has called for clearer historical signage at the Crown Jewels exhibit to correct the narrative that it was a gift.
