Insta
(@RakeshTrickey/Twitter)
In reply to a RTI seeking information for grounds on which the Kohinoor was transferred to Britain, the Archeological Survey of India has stated that the diamond was in fact “surrendered” by the Maharaja of Lahore to Queen Victoria as “voluntary compensation” that would cover expenses of the Anglo-Sikh War.
ASI’s reply contradicted Centre’s stand — In April 2016, the government told the Supreme Court that Kohinoor was neither “forcibly taken nor stolen” by the British but gifted to them by successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh who ruled Punjab at the time, as reported by TOI.
ASI’s reply to the query was, “As per the records, the Lahore Treaty held between Lord Dalhousie and Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1849, the Kohinoor diamond was surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England.” The treaty also indicates that “the Kohinoor was not handed over to the British on the wishes of Duleep Singh. Moreover, Duleep Singh was a minor aged nine at the time of the treaty”.
The chairman of Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial Trust, Kothi Bassian and poet Gurbhajan Singh Gill said this is exactly what they had been saying for many years – that the diamond was taken away by the British from Maharaja Duleep Singh when he was only nine.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest