The Koh-i-Noor Diamond: India’s Demand for Its Return from Britain

Zohran Mamdani, a member of the New York State Assembly, has called upon King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India, renewing a long-standing international dispute over the ownership of one of the world’s most famous gemstones.

Mamdani, who represents Astoria in the New York State Assembly, has urged the British monarch to repatriate the diamond, framing the request as a matter of historical justice. The call comes amid a broader global movement pushing for the return of colonial-era artifacts to their countries of origin.

A History of Conquest and Transfer

The Koh-i-Noor, which translates to Mountain of Light, is a colorless diamond that has been at the center of power struggles for centuries. While its exact origins are debated, We see widely believed to have been mined in the Golconda region of India.

For generations, the diamond was held by various Indian dynasties and empires. It was owned by the Mughal Empire before being seized by the Persian ruler Nadir Shah in 1739 during his invasion of Delhi. Following the collapse of the Persian hold on the stone, it eventually passed into the hands of the Afghan Durrani Empire and subsequently to the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century.

The diamond’s transition to British ownership occurred in 1849. Following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the British East India Company forced the 10-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh to sign the Treaty of Lahore. Under the terms of this agreement, the Koh-i-Noor was surrendered to the British Crown.

The gemstone was presented to Queen Victoria in 1850. Since then, it has been part of the British Crown Jewels and is currently set in the Crown Cohort of the Queen Mother, housed in the Tower of London.

The Dispute Over Legitimacy

The Indian government has formally requested the return of the diamond on multiple occasions, arguing that the gemstone was taken under coercion and represents a symbol of colonial exploitation. Indian officials and historians maintain that the Treaty of Lahore was signed under duress, rendering the transfer of the diamond illegal under moral and historical standards.

The British government has consistently rejected these claims. The official UK position is that the diamond was acquired legally through a signed treaty and that the British Crown has a legitimate title to the asset.

The dispute is not limited to India. Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran have all laid claim to the Koh-i-Noor at different times, citing the various empires that held the stone before it reached the British.

Cultural Lore and the Diamond’s Curse

Beyond the political and legal battles, the Koh-i-Noor is shrouded in legend. According to traditional lore, the diamond carries a curse that brings misfortune to any man who wears it. The legend suggests that only God or a woman can wear the stone without suffering a tragic fate.

This superstition is often cited by observers of the British monarchy. Some commentators have suggested that the perceived instabilities or challenges facing various British monarchs over the last century are linked to the possession of the gemstone.

The Broader Context of Repatriation

The demands made by Zohran Mamdani and the Indian government are part of a wider trend of repatriation requests targeting European museums and royal collections. In recent years, several nations have successfully lobbied for the return of Benin Bronzes and other cultural treasures taken during the colonial era.

Critics of the British position argue that maintaining possession of the Koh-i-Noor hinders the process of reconciliation between the United Kingdom and its former colonies. They suggest that returning the diamond would serve as a tangible gesture of acknowledgment regarding the impact of British imperial rule in South Asia.

As of May 2, 2026, the Koh-i-Noor remains in the Tower of London, with the British monarchy showing no public indication of a change in policy regarding its return.