Artifact
Koh-i-Noor
also Koh-i-Nur
A diamond held by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and given up by Maharaja Duleep Singh when the British annexed the Punjab in 1849.[EoS][Web]
- Held by
- British Crown
- Location
- Jewel House, Tower of London, in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
- Provenance
- Documented
- Status: Status disputed
- The diamond's location and the rival claims come from Wikipedia, read 5 November 2026. The Tower's own page could not be loaded (HTTP 403). The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism (1992-98) says it has been set in the Queen Consort's crown since 1937.
The Encyclopaedia says Wafa Begam promised it to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in return for rescuing her husband, Shah Shuja, from Kashmir, and that Shah Shuja handed it over at Lahore on 1 June 1813. The Maharaja wore it on his arm on state occasions.
It descended to Maharaja Duleep Singh, was shown in London in 1851 and was recut in 1852, which took about 80 carats off its weight.
What is disputed
- Ownership
Wikipedia reports claims by India, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The British government holds that it was acquired legally under the 1849 Treaty of Lahore.[Web]
A drawing of the Koh-i-Noor by R.S. Garrard & Co., 1851, the year it was shown in London. It is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's open access collection.
R.S. Garrard & Co., 1851. Metropolitan Museum of Art.CC0. Source
A 'true copy' receipt of 1851 recording the transfer of the Koh-i-Noor, said to have been made for Sir John Login and now in the Toor Collection.
Unknown, 1851. Toor Collection (as credited on Commons). Public domain. Source
An engraving of Maharaja Ranjit Singh after a portrait attributed to Jivan Ram, from H.T. Prinsep's book of 1834. The file name says he wears the Koh-i-Noor, which was not independently checked.
Kasinath, sculptor, after an original work by Jivan Ram, 1834. Public domain. Source
