The Koh-i-Noor diamond, a gemstone shrouded in mystery and blood, has been coveted by empires and rulers for centuries. Its journey from the mines of India to the Crown Jewels of England is not just a tale of beauty but one of violence, conquest, and enduring controversy. With origins believed to date back to between 1100 and 1300 C.E., this diamond has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, leaving behind a trail of bloodshed that has led many to believe it may be cursed. Despite its dark past, the Koh-i-Noor remains one of the most famous and controversial diamonds in the world.
A 1919 depiction of Queen Mary’s crown. The Koh-i-Noor diamond sits at its front.
The Mysterious Origins and Early Journey of the Koh-i-Noor
The exact origins of the Koh-i-Noor are lost to history, but most scholars agree that it was likely mined in the Golconda region of India. The diamond, originally weighing an astounding 186 carats, was already a treasure of immense value. According to an 18th-century Afghan queen, Wufa Begum, the Koh-i-Noor’s worth could not be equaled even by filling the space between the farthest-flung stones with gold.
An 1844 lithograph showing Maharaja Ranjit Singh with his treasure, including the Koh-i-Noor at top center.
The Mughal Empire was the first known custodian of the diamond, acquiring it during their reign over India between the 16th and mid-17th centuries. The Koh-i-Noor was then set atop the Peacock Throne, commissioned by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in 1628, a symbol of imperial might adorned with hundreds of jewels. However, the diamond’s tranquility was shattered in 1739 when Emperor Nader Shah of Persia invaded India, looting the Mughal treasury and taking the Koh-i-Noor as part of his spoils. It was Nader Shah who, upon seeing the diamond, exclaimed “Koh-i-Noor!”—meaning “Mountain of Light” in Persian—a name that has endured through the centuries.
Nader Shah’s assassination only a few years later marked the beginning of a turbulent period for the diamond. It passed from ruler to ruler, most notably within present-day Afghanistan, until it was eventually claimed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, in the early 19th century. Though the Koh-i-Noor had returned to India, it would not stay there for long.
Queen Victoria depicted in a 1856 portrait wearing the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
The British Empire and the Koh-i-Noor
The death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839 led to a bloody power struggle within the Sikh Empire, during which the Koh-i-Noor passed through many hands. Eventually, it came to rest with Ranjit Singh’s son, the five-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh. The young ruler wore the diamond on his arm as a symbol of his right to rule, but this was not to last.
Queen Alexandra wearing the Koh-i-Noor diamond during the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902.
In 1849, following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the British East India Company annexed the Kingdom of Punjab, forcing the ten-year-old Maharaja to sign the Last Treaty of Lahore. This treaty ceded both his kingdom and the Koh-i-Noor to the British Crown. For the British, acquiring the Koh-i-Noor was more than just claiming a jewel—it was a symbol of their dominance over India. The diamond was shipped to England and became the star attraction at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London.
In 1852, the Koh-i-Noor was recut to enhance its brilliance, reducing its weight from 186 carats to its current 105.6 carats. The diamond was then set into a brooch for Queen Victoria. Over the years, it was incorporated into the crowns of various British queens, most recently that of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The Koh-i-Noor made its last public appearance in 2002 atop the Queen Mother’s coffin during her funeral.
The Ongoing Controversy Over the Koh-i-Noor
The Koh-i-Noor’s journey from India to England is viewed by many as a symbol of colonial exploitation and violence. Since India gained independence in 1947, the country has repeatedly requested the return of the Koh-i-Noor, as have Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the British government has consistently refused, arguing that the diamond was acquired legally.
The question of rightful ownership is complicated by the diamond’s long and violent history. Experts like Jane Milosch, director of the Smithsonian’s Provenance Research Initiative, have pointed out that tracing the chain of ownership is difficult, and the legal frameworks governing such artifacts have changed over time. This complexity has made it challenging to determine who, if anyone, has the most legitimate claim to the Koh-i-Noor.
George VI of Great Britain at his coronation in 1937. His wife, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, wears the Koh-i-Noor diamond on her crown.
For some, however, the issue is clear: the Koh-i-Noor should be returned to its country of origin. Historian William Dalrymple has argued that the diamond’s history should be transparently displayed alongside the artifact, rather than perpetuating the narrative that it was a gift from India to Britain. He likens the Koh-i-Noor to art stolen by the Nazis, suggesting that the moral imperative to return such items should apply equally to colonial loot.
As of now, the British Royal Family has no plans to return the Koh-i-Noor. Yet, the diamond remains a potent symbol of the complex legacy of colonialism, and the debate over its rightful home is unlikely to fade away.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond, with its dazzling beauty and dark history, continues to captivate and provoke. Its journey from the mines of India to the Crown Jewels of England is a story of power, conquest, and the enduring legacy of colonialism. While the British Crown may continue to hold onto the diamond, the debate over its rightful ownership serves as a reminder of the bloodshed and exploitation that often accompany the world’s most treasured artifacts. Whether the Koh-i-Noor will ever return to its birthplace remains uncertain, but its story is far from over.