Indians want Koh-i-Noor back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The British monarchy is facing legal challenge for the return of famous Koh-i-Noor  diamond. A group of powerful businessmen and Bollywood film stars want it back who call  themselves the  ‘Mountain  Of Light’ group and have hired a British law firm to take action.

Actress Bhumika Singh says, “Koh-i-Noor has a lot of history and culture attached to it and should be returned to India.”

British government has rejected all previous demands  for the return of Koh-i-Noor .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mountain of Light or Koh-i-Noor (Persian) is a diamond that was mined at Kollur Mine, in the present state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It was originally 793 carats when uncut. Once the largest known diamond, it is now a 105.6 metric carat diamond, weighing 21.6 grammes in its most recent cut state. In 1852, Albert the Prince Consort ordered it cut down from 186 carats. The diamond was originally owned by the Kakatiya dynasty, which had installed it in a temple of a Hindu  goddess as her eye.The diamond was later confiscated from its original owners by various invaders. Today the diamond is a part of the Crown of Queen Elizabeth (see British Crown Jewels).

It was exhibited in London in 1851 and was cut and polished. Mozes Coster, one of the largest and most famous Dutch diamond merchants, was employed for the task, and he sent to London one of his most experienced artisans, Levie Benjamin Voorzanger and his assistants. On 6 July 1852, the cutting began, using a steam powered mill especially built for the job. Under the personal supervision of Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert, and the technical direction of James Tennant the cutting took 38 days of 12 hours each. The diamond was cut from 186 1/16 carats (37.21 g) to its current 105.602 carats (21.61 g) to increase its brilliance. Prince Albert consulted widely, took enormous pains, and spent some £8,000 on the operation, which reduced the weight of the stone by a huge 42 percent””but nevertheless Albert was dissatisfied with the result. The stone was then mounted in a brooch which Queen Victoria often wore. It was kept at Windsor Castle rather than with the rest of the crown jewels at the Tower of London.

After Queen Victoria’s death it was set in Queen Alexandra’s brand-new diamond crown, with which she was crowned at the coronation of her husband, King Edward VII. Queen Alexandra was the first Queen Consort to use the diamond in her crown, followed by Queen Mary and then Queen Elizabeth, the Consort of King George VI.

India has claimed the diamond and has said that the Koh-i-Noor was taken away illegally and that it should be given back to India. When Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to India marking the 50th anniversary of independence in 1997, many Indians in India and Britain demanded the return of the diamond. On 21 February 2013, while visiting India, David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, said that it would be illogical to return the diamond.

 

Short URL: https://indiandownunder.com.au/?p=5821