The Tower of London is set to open a new exhibition showcasing the Kohinoor diamond, a highly contested gem claimed by India. The exhibition aims to present the diamond’s turbulent colonial history in a transparent, balanced, and inclusive manner. The Kohinoor, also known as Koh-i-Noor, will be displayed within a “symbol of conquest” setting, accompanied by a video illustrating its global journey.
The Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the charity responsible for managing Britain’s palaces, stated that the exhibition delves into the origins of various items in the collection, including the Koh-i-Noor. The diamond has passed through the hands of Mughal Emperors, Shahs of Iran, Emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh Maharajas. Extensive audience research and consultations with local community groups and specialist academics informed the display’s creation, ensuring a well-informed approach that acknowledges the diamond’s complex history.
The labels accompanying the Kohinoor highlight its history and significance. One label describes it as a “Symbol of Conquest,” acknowledging its multiple previous owners. The diamond’s history includes its acquisition by Queen Victoria in 1849 through the Treaty of Lahore, which compelled Maharaja Duleep Singh, a ten-year-old at the time, to surrender it along with control of the Punjab. The label also mentions that “Koh-i-Noor” means “Mountain of Light” in Persian.
Other items in the exhibition, such as an armlet dating back to 1830 and Queen Alexandra’s Crown of 1902, also feature labels that shed light on the Kohinoor’s journey and associations. The armlet, worn by Queen Victoria, held the diamond, which was later recut in 1852 to suit European preferences. The Kohinoor’s presence in various crowns, including Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Crown from 1937, is also highlighted.
The exhibition, scheduled to run until November, showcases all the jewels that returned to the Tower of London after their use during the historic Coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Notably, Queen Camilla chose not to be crowned using the Kohinoor, adhering to royal tradition.
Andrew Jackson, the Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Keeper of the Jewel House, expressed excitement about the new exhibition, emphasizing the significance of the Crown Jewels as powerful symbols of the British Monarchy. Charles Farris, Public Historian for the History of the Monarchy at Historic Royal Palaces, added that the exhibition provides a deeper understanding of the collection’s rich history and its role in Coronation ceremonies.
Accompanying the exhibition is a “Crown and Coronation” display featuring imagery from the recent coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which will subsequently tour the UK. The Tower of London has safeguarded the Crown Jewels since 1661, continuing a long-standing tradition of protecting precious objects within its historic fortress.
