The debate surrounding the Kohinoor Diamond that adorns the British Monarchy's Crown Jewel has reached a fever pitch as the argument of whether it was a gift or was stolen continues to rage on.
In 1850, the 105-carat diamond was presented to Queen Victoria and has a checkered history. Found in the Golconda mines in India, the original diamond measured 186 carat when handed to the British in 1840 post the Anglo-Sikh war as part of the terms of the treaty. The treaty was signed by Ranjit Singh - the 10-year-old Sikh ruler - after the Maharaja's mother was banished to prison by the British.
The Maharaja's heirs gave the Kohinoor diamond as "voluntary compensation" to the British so as to cover the expenditures of the war, or so asserted the Centre on Monday, April 18, during a Supreme Court hearing in India.
However, a day later, the Centre did an about turn on its stance that the British rulers did not forcibly take or stole the Kohinoor but that the diamond was presented as a "gift" by Punjabi rulers to the East India Company during the colonial rule.
On Tuesday, in a U-turn on the issue, the Ministry of Culture noted that "The government of India further reiterates its resolve to make all possible efforts to bring back the Kohinoor diamond in an amicable manner."
So what has resulted in the sudden alteration in the government's view on staking a claim on the Kohinoor, despite the fact that on Monday Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar had asserted that India claiming its treasures from other countries would result in other countries doing the same?
According to the newspaper Economic Times, the Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi has stepped in. Reliable sources have told ET that the change in government position has come with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepping into the picture on Tuesday after which marathon meetings were held today between officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Culture Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India, reported the publication.
The ministry has also asserted that the Kohinoor diamond was a "valued piece of art with strong roots in our nation's history" and Modi was resolute to get it back.
Under the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972, the Archaeological Survey of India is only permitted to retrieve items that have been exported outside illegally. The act excludes items that were taken out of India prior to its independence in 1947.
