Kohinoor was not 'gifted', but surrendered to British, reveals ASI

The fabled Kohinoor diamond, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, and part of the British Crown jewels was not ‘gifted’ but surrendered to the Queen, revealed the Archaeological Survey of India.

According to the Times of India report, this fact was declared by the ASI while replying to an RTI. The RTI filed by activist Rohit Sabharwal had questioned the Prime Minister’s Office to know the basis of transfer of Kohinoor to the United Kingdom.

The PMO transferred the RTI to ASI, which in return gave exact details of the terms of surrender.

According to the ASI, Kohinoor was surrendered by Maharaja of Lahore to Queen of England. The treaty that gave the exact terms of transfer said that Kohinoor was not handed over to the British on the wishes of Duleep Singh. It also added that at the time of handover, Duleep Singh was a minor. 

The latest reply by the ASI contradicts what the Centre had told the Supreme Court two years go. In April 2016, the Modi government had told the apex court that India shouldn't claim the famous Kohinoor diamond from the British. 

According to the then Solicitor General, as per Culture ministry's view, India should not claim 'Kohinoor' as it was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away. He had said that ‘Kohinoor' was handed over by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the East India Company. Solicitor General said that it is the view of the Culture Ministry. The Ministry of External Affairs was also a party to the PIL filed in this case. 

The Centre replied after a PIL was filed in the top court seeking return of the "ring and talwar of Tipu Sultan and other treasures of Tipu Sultan, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani of Jhansi, Nawab Mir Ahmad Ali Banda and other rulers of India." The plea had made Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture, High Commissioners of UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh as parties in the case.