Zohran Mamdani, the current mayor of New York City, has urged King Charles III of Britain to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond, reigniting debate over the jewel’s contested history.
Speaking on April 29, Mamdani said that he would encourage the king to give back the diamond, which is widely believed to have originated in India. It was handed over to Queen Victoria in 1849 under the Treaty of Lahore following the Anglo-Sikh War. Many in India and beyond argue that the stone was taken during colonial rule and should be returned.
The 105.6-carat diamond is now part of the British Crown Jewels and is displayed at the Tower of London. However, experts note the monarch does not personally own the gem, meaning any decision about its future would involve the British government.
The Koh-i-Noor has long been a symbol of colonial-era disputes, with multiple countries, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, laying claim to it.