Indians sue Queen for return of £100m jewel in the crown
What is going on ? People asking for the return of gifts ? This cannot be allowed ..
British lawyers instructed by the ‘Mountain of Light’ group (the translation of Koh-i-Noor) to repatriate it said last night they would base their case on the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act, which gives national institutions in the UK the power to return stolen art.
David de Souza, of the Indian leisure group Tito’s, who is helping to fund the fight, said: ‘The Koh- i-Noor is one of the many artefacts taken from India under dubious circumstance.’
He claimed colonisation had stolen wealth and ‘destroyed the country’s psyche’. And Bollywood star Bhumicka Singh added: ‘The Koh-i-Noor is not just a 105-carat stone, but part of our history and culture and should undoubtedly be returned.’
The Government has rejected demands for the return of the oval-shaped stone, which was presented to Queen Victoria in 1851.
Last night historian Andrew Roberts told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Those involved in this ludicrous case should recognise that the British Crown Jewels is precisely the right place for the Koh-i-Noor diamond to reside, in grateful recognition for over three centuries of British involvement in India, which led to the modernisation, development, protection, agrarian advance, linguistic unification and ultimately the democratisation of the sub-continent.’
The diamond was given to Queen Victoria by the last ruler of the Sikhs, Duleep Singh, after the British annexe of the Punjab.
The then Queen Elizabeth had it crafted into the centrepiece of the crown she wore in 1937 for the Coronation of her husband King George VI. The diamond remains there to this day.
As per wiki... Duleep Singh was a 15 year boy when he was exiled to Britan, refused to meet his mother and never allowed to return to India even after his death...
I wonder where India would be, had it not for the British Colonization? more killings based on religion? perhaps more rapes? How about the basic justice system, I am sure India came up with that all alone!
I thought it was a gift as appreciation for setting up the civil service, tea plantations, railways, roads etc
"Even the most 'noble' among them is a thief"
1- It was a forced gift from a child king who was not aware of the value of that diamond.
2- It is said that it was a well played game at the last moment as exchange of pagris (caps) in between and cheater British Officers forced the little king to give the diamond.
3- It is related to India indeed but Maharaja Dileep Singh shifted to France and there loads of women looted him of his wealth very well.
4- The family members are still there in France and Patiyala.
It should remain where it is closely guarded by the Beefeaters at the Tower of London.
It was a gift, not stolen. Stop the ignorance
Where are Duleep Singh's grand children today .................. ?