An RTI response reveals that the fabled Indian diamond, Kohinoor, was “surrendered” by the then Maharaja of Lahore to Queen Victoria and not gifted. The RTI, filed by activist Rohit Sabharwal, questioned the basis of the transfer of Kohinoor to the United Kingdom. Clueless as to whom to address the RTI, he forwarded it to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), which was then sent it to the ASI for a credible response.
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) wrote, “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.” It added, “The gem called Kohinoor which was taken from the Shah-Suja-Ul-Mulk by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh shall be surrendered by the Maharaja of Lahore to the Queen of England.” The report also cited that the diamond was “taken away by the British” when Duleep Singh was just a minor.
It should be noted that Duleep Singh was barely nine years old when the treaty was signed. The RTI response comes in stark contrast to the government's statement two years ago claiming the diamond was gifted to the British Empire. The Kohinoor ended up in the British Crown Jewels by the mid-1800s, and remains there to this date. Currently, both India and Pakistan are trying to retrieve the diamond back from the UK government, despite steady refusals from the latter.
