New York: Speaking ahead of a ceremony commemorating the victims of the September 11 attacks, Mamdani said that if given a private audience with the British monarch, he would encourage the return of the Koh-i-Noor to India. He later briefly interacted with King Charles on the same day.
The Koh-i-Noor, meaning “Mountain of Light” in Persian, is among the most renowned and contested diamonds in the world. Weighing approximately 105.6 carats and estimated to be worth over $200 million, the gem’s history stretches back centuries.
Its origins are believed to lie in the Kollur Mines in the Golconda region, present-day Telangana, during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century. Over time, the diamond passed through the hands of several powerful rulers, including Mughal emperors, Persian leaders, Afghan rulers and Sikh maharajas.
The gem eventually came into the possession of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire. Following the British annexation of Punjab in 1849, the diamond was transferred to the British under the terms of the Treaty of Lahore and later presented to Queen Victoria.
However, the circumstances surrounding this transfer remain debated. The Archaeological Survey of India has previously stated that the diamond was “surrendered” rather than voluntarily gifted.
Within the British monarchy, the Koh-i-Noor became part of the royal regalia, worn by successive queens including Queen Elizabeth II and her predecessors. Today, it remains part of the Crown Jewels, housed at the Tower of London.
Despite its historic place in royal tradition, the diamond was notably absent from the recent coronation ceremony, where Queen Camilla chose to wear Queen Mary’s Crown instead.
India has repeatedly asserted that the Koh-i-Noor is an integral part of its cultural heritage, with many viewing its continued presence in the United Kingdom as a symbol of the colonial era.