Information from colonial files about Indian gems sent to the British Royal Treasury
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As part of the ‘Cost of the Crown’ series, The Guardian newspaper is examining the wealth and finances of the British royal family ahead of the coronation of King Charles III next month. In a report this week, the newspaper cited a 46-page file from the archives of the ‘India Office’.
A colonial-era file from the archives of the India Office, the erstwhile department of the British government responsible for governing the Indian subcontinent, has revealed that many precious gems and jewels were sent from India to the British imperial treasury. As part of the ‘Cost of the Crown’ series, The Guardian newspaper is examining the wealth and finances of the British royal family ahead of the coronation of King Charles III next month. In a report this week, the newspaper cited a 46-page file from the archives of the ‘India Office’.
It details an investigation conducted by Queen Mary (grandmother of the late Queen Elizabeth II) into the source of her royal jewels. Among its references is an emerald-studded gold belt used to adorn horses in the stables of the then Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, now part of the royal collection of Maharaja Charles. The newspaper’s investigation revealed, “A 1912 report describes how priceless gems, including a belt in Charles’s royal collection, were brought from India as a trophy and later given to Queen Victoria.”
It stated, “The objects described are now in the ownership of the Maharaja as the property of the British Royal House.” was forced. The Kohinoor diamond is believed to have come into the possession of Queen Victoria as a result of similar looting by officials of the East India Company. It is noteworthy that to avoid diplomatic controversy, it has been decided not to use the Kohinoor diamond-studded crown during Queen Camilla’s coronation on May 6.
Another historical Indian item in the royal treasury is the pearl necklace, which is studded with 224 large pearls. It is also believed that it was brought from the treasury of Ranjit Singh. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor told the newspaper, “We have finally entered an era where colonial plunder is being unearthed. As we can see, the return of stolen property is a good thing. Future generations will wonder why it took so long for civilized nations to do the right thing?’ A Buckingham Palace spokesman told the newspaper that slavery and colonialism are subjects that King Charles III takes very seriously.
Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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