Who Owns the Kohinoor?

Join us in our mission to petition the Tower of London to acknowledge the rightful ownership of the Kohinoor diamond and the historical injustices surrounding its acquisition.

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Learn About The Ownership Timeline

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Ownership Timeline

1839

The Death of a King

The story begins in 1839 with the death of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, the powerful ruler of the Sikh Empire. His passing triggered a wave of instability and fierce power struggles within the court of Lahore, setting the stage for British intervention in the years to come.

1843

A Boy Becomes Maharajah

At just five years old, Duleep Singh was proclaimed Maharajah in 1843. His mother, Maharani Jindan, was appointed regent and tried to protect her son’s throne, but the empire was already vulnerable to foreign interests.

1846

First Steps Toward British Control

The First Anglo-Sikh War ended in 1846 with the signing of the Treaty of Lahore. This agreement marked the beginning of British encroachment, forcing the Sikhs to cede Kashmir and accept a British Resident in Lahore.

March 29, 1849

The Treaty That Changed Everything

After the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the British annexed Punjab and forced the ten-year-old Maharajah Duleep Singh to sign the Treaty of Lahore. The treaty stripped him of his sovereignty and transferred the Koh-i-Noor diamond to Queen Victoria. Signed under coercion and by a minor, the treaty is now considered legally invalid under international standards.

April 6, 1850

The Secret Removal of the Diamond

Before the treaty was officially ratified, the Koh-i-Noor diamond was already en route to Britain. Letters from Lady Dalhousie and Lady Login later revealed that the British orchestrated the removal in secrecy, raising questions about the legitimacy of their claim.

June 29, 1850

Arrival in Britain

The Koh-i-Noor arrived in England and just days later, on July 3, 1850, was formally presented to Queen Victoria. It became a symbol of British imperial power, enshrined in royal regalia and the empire’s legacy.

1850

A Guardian and a New Faith

Duleep Singh, now under the care of Dr. John Login, was moved to Fatehgarh. His personal attendant, Bhajan Lall, introduced him to Christianity, which would soon alter the Maharajah’s spiritual and cultural identity.

March–April 1854

Conversion and Departure

In March 1853, Duleep Singh converted to Christianity. A year later, he left India with Dr. Login’s family and sailed to England. This marked a significant turning point in his life, as he transitioned from a deposed ruler to a British gentleman.

July 1854

Royal Encounters

Duleep Singh met Queen Victoria in July 1854. Dr. Login, ever diligent, recorded the moment in a 19-page memoir dated July 25. His writings offered a rare glimpse into the Maharajah’s transition and the arrangements made with the British Crown.

1859–1860

Financial Matters Documented

Dr. Login continued to record Duleep Singh’s financial settlements in letters to British officials, including Sir Charles Wood and William Haye. These documents laid out the pension and terms promised to the young Maharajah as part of the British deal.

October 1863

Loss of a Protector

Dr. John Login passed away in 1863. His death marked the end of an era, but his letters and memoirs remain a key part of the historical record, especially in the context of legal and political claims made today.

1886

Pension Revoked, Treaty Breached

When Duleep Singh attempted to reclaim his sovereignty and return to India in 1886, the British government revoked his pension, a direct violation of the terms set out in the Treaty of Lahore. This breach further discredited Britain’s legal right to the diamond.

2023

Changing the Narrative

In a significant shift, the Tower of London updated its display in 2023 to acknowledge that the Koh-i-Noor was acquired through conquest, not as a gift. This public recognition contradicted centuries of official British narrative.

Present Day

The Legal Petition

India has prepared a legal submission to the International Court of Justice and UNESCO, seeking the return of the Koh-i-Noor. The petition argues that the treaty was signed under coercion, that the diamond was taken illegally, and that the UK must return it as a matter of justice and historical accountability.

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