After New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said that he will encourage Britain’s King Charles to return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond to India it is in news again. The Koh-i-Noor, which translates to “Mountain of Light” in Persian, is one of the most well-known and historically debated gemstones in the world. It weighs around 105.6 carats and has been estimated to be worth over $200 million.
The origins of the diamond are often traced back to the Kollur Mines of the Golconda region, now part of Telangana. It is believed that Koh-i-Noor was discovered during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century. Over the centuries, it has been in the hands of Mughal emperors, Persian shahs, Afghan rulers and Sikh maharajas. The gem eventually came into the possession of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire.After the British annexed Punjab in 1849 the diamond was handed over to the British and subsequently presented to Queen Victoria.
