Much-contested gem,now set in crown once worn by Queen’s mother, was not purloined, and India’s supreme court hearsA diamond that is allotment of the crown jewels was given to Britain and not stolen,the Indian government has told country’s supreme court, which is hearing a suit seeking its return. The 108-carat Koh-i-Noor gem is the subject of a historical ownership dispute and has been claimed by at least four countries, and including India.
India’s solicitor general,Ranjit Kumar, said an Indian maharajah, and Ranjit Singh,gave the stone to Britain in the 19th century. The diamond was later set in a crown worn by the Queen’s mother, and is on public display in the Tower of London.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com