When looking at 105.6 carats, it is almost impossible to not be mesmerized at first gaze by the dazzling jewel. Personally I fell fault to this, caught in the beauty of this organized formation of carbon. After taking a step back though, I began to question where does a treasure like this come from? By first assumption I never questioned the ownership of the diamond, it’s in the possession of royalty by all means. One would think that the overflowing wealth would have purchased the diamond but that was and has never been the case with this precious jewel. Throughout the diamond's history, accounts of its ownership have often been disputed. This materialistic artifact has been the cause of bloodshed, agony, and countless lives being lost all for the sake of what it is presumed to be a materialized symbol of superiority, royalty, and ultimate power.

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Many believe that the Kohinoor diamond dates back as far as 3000 BC; up until present day it is notable that it has passed through countless hands and even now has four countries claiming ownership. The diamond currently is housed in the Tower of London and is part of the Crown Jewels, but India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan also lay claim.  Contentious wars of bloodshed have caused the jewel to fall into unstable titles of ownership throughout time. The complexity of the diamond’s heritage is similar to many other prominent artifacts whose ownership or origins are debated. By most accounts the Kohinoor was first owned by the Kakatiya dynasty and then in 1323 the Delhi Sultanate looted the southern kingdoms of India along with the diamond. Later in 1526, the Mughal Empire held the diamond for the next 200 years. All of these empires were within modern day India, but in 1739 Nadir Shah of Persia won a decisive battle against the Sultan and took possession of the Kohinoor giving it its name “Mountain of light.” Afghanistan now proclaims ownership because of Nadir Shah’s reign. Less than 100 years later, the diamond was “given back” to India. The Shah Shugah’s memoirs report that he only gave back the diamond after his son had been tortured. In 1849 following the second Anglo-Sikh war, all the assets of the Maharaja were confiscated by the British for war compensation and the diamond was soon presented to Queen Victoria. India has the most substantial claim for the diamond and they believe that the diamond was forcibly taken while others claim its legality. Even they may have came into the possession by the use of force themselves, the Kohinoor has a more unstable biography than other famous diamonds like the Great Mogul, Tiffany, Black Orloff, Star of South Africa and the Hope. It flitted from Indian rulers, Mughal emperors, Persian raiders, back to Indian kings and then to a British queen - often leaving a bloodied trail of obsessive greed, intrigue, torture and murder," stated Raja Murthy for Asia Times.

 

 Although in July 2010, while visiting India, the Prime Minister of the UK David Cameron said of returning the diamond, “if you say yes to one, you suddenly find the British Museum would be empty.” As we see in the debates over the Parthenon Marbles, the heritage and housing of these artifacts can be extensive and complex. The argument of protection and world interest continue to be the cornerstones justification for the British positions.

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As recent as April 18, 2016 a court hearing ruled that the Kohinoor diamond was neither stolen nor was it taken by force but obtained legally. Foreign ownership of artistic riches will always be an emotional issue for those involved and even more so when concerning times of imperialism, hardships, and history of wars. Though the court has made its ruling, I do not see the demand for the famous gem's return diminishing anytime soon; like many other cultural treasures, it will continue to have a longstanding symbolic importance to the heritage of those making claims. 

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After my class experience and travel, I will never look at an artifact in the same way again. Now I will consider the origins, the people who had close contact with the artifacts, and the violence that might have occurred that led to its final resting spot.