Unfortunately, the wealth of the country attracted a lot of idiots, especially from Britian and France in the 18th centuary.
The Kohinoor Diamond was considered to be the richest, most precious jewel ever. Originally it weighed 186 carats. It belonged to various Indian rulers back then. Where is it now? On the Queen of Englands' head. It had been recut down to 108 carats as it was cut to fit on the Queen of Englands' crown.
It has been also known as "Samantik Mani" meaning Prince and Leader among diamonds and "Mountain Of Light" which was the Persian-Arabic name for it. It was said that "He who owns the diamond will own the world, but will also know it's misfortunes. Only God, or a woman can wear it with impunity."
In the 16 and 1700s, Britian would trade with India for things like spices and tea. They eventually decided that they would take over after the government got involved. The British "invaded" India around the mid 1800s and India was a part of the British Empire by the early 1900s. Some saying that India was "the jewel in the crown" of the British Empire. In 1876, Queen Victoria was declared as the Empress of India. Prior to this, India was made up of small kingdoms and some might say that Britain "unified" India for commerial gain. But others would say that they caused wars between the smaller kingdoms (among them being Hindus, Muslims and Sheiks) so there wouldn't be a huge backlash against them. The latter is obviously the case as India was made independent in 1947. That was when India first requested the diamond back. They tried again 6 years later during the period of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the second. There was an argument that the diamond wasn't taken in war but was formally presented to the British. Yeah right.
How amazing would it be if The Queen suddenly woke up one day and this conversation happened:-
Queen: I say Jeeves, one has awoken enlightened
Jeeves: How so Your Majesty?
Queen: That diamond on ones' crown-you know, the most precious one of them all.
Jeeves: Ah Your majesty, I believe you are referring to The Kohinoor Diamond.
Queen: That is the one.
Jeeves: What about it Your Majesty?
Queen: I think maybe I should do the right thing and return it to where it belongs.
Jeeves: Back to India? Bravo Your Majesty. Jolly good show.
Queen: Do prepare some cucumber sandwiches for the journey.
Jeeves: One has to admire this sudden burst of generosity.
Queen: Nonsense Jeeves, one is only doing what one should have done a long time ago.
Jeeves: Rather.
Queen: Get Coleman to ready the plane.
Jeeves: Of course Your Majesty.
Give the Kohinoor diamond back to India.
