Kohinoor: Symbol of colonialism & controversy: Outreinfo – New Hot Topics
During the official coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, one notable absence will be the controversial Kohinoor diamond. The decision to exclude the 105-carat diamond, which was expected to be part of Camilla’s crown, is likely due to the ongoing debate surrounding its acquisition during Britain’s colonial era. Calls for the return of the Kohinoor to India have grown louder, particularly since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Despite the Indian government’s vacillation on the matter, the British monarchy has yet to address these demands.
The Kohinoor Controversy
The exclusion of the Kohinoor, while intended to avoid controversy, has inadvertently sparked another debate regarding the British monarchy’s involvement in colonialism and retention of plundered artifacts. The inclusion of the Cullinan diamonds, obtained from South African mines, in the coronation further fuels demands for the return of these artifacts as well. The Kohinoor was seized by the British East India Company from a young Sikh emperor in the 1840s, as part of a larger imperial plunder that took immense wealth from India.
The British Empire’s acquisition of treasures from India, including the Kohinoor, was not an isolated incident. They amassed a vast fortune estimated at $45 trillion in today’s currency, through the appropriation of art, artifacts, land, and lives. The Kohinoor, with its rich history connected to prominent Indian rulers, became a prized possession for the British. While other countries have repatriated stolen cultural artifacts, the British government remains resistant, often citing disputed justifications for their retention.
The British Monarchy’s Refusal to Return Plundered Artifacts
This refusal to return plundered artifacts reflects a mindset rooted in the era of empire, where the British believed they were the rightful custodians of other nations’ cultural heritage. The British Museum’s retention of the Rosetta Stone and Greece’s ongoing quest to reclaim the Elgin Marbles serve as examples of this stance. The Kohinoor, with its symbolic significance as a “symbol of conquest,” continues to be held by the British as a testament to their imperial legacy.
By refusing to acknowledge the colonial past and the implications of retaining looted treasures, the British monarchy perpetuates a narrative that undermines the cultural autonomy and agency of nations that seek the return of their heritage. Hiding the Kohinoor on coronation day does not alter the deeper symbolism tied to Britain’s history of violent conquest and exploitation.
