The Kohinoor diamond: How it went from India to the British Crown

The Koh-i-noor, or "mountain of light," diamond, set in the Maltese Cross at the front of the crown made for Britain's late Queen Mother Elizabeth. Credit: AP

The Kohinoor, one of the world's most famous diamonds, is believed to have been mined in Kollur, within the former Golconda Sultanate in India. From time to time, there have been calls for its return to India from Britain. Speaking with SBS Hindi, Victoria-based Arjun Raina recounts the historical British treaties involving the Sikh Darbar, the circumstances surrounding the Kohinoor's acquisition, and his personal ancestral connections to those who once served the Darbar.

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Published 8 May 2026 4:10pm

By Anita Barar

Presented by Anita Barar

Source: SBS

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The Kohinoor, one of the world's most famous diamonds, is believed to have been mined in Kollur, within the former Golconda Sultanate in India. From time to time, there have been calls for its return to India from Britain. Speaking with SBS Hindi, Victoria-based Arjun Raina recounts the historical British treaties involving the Sikh Darbar, the circumstances surrounding the Kohinoor's acquisition, and his personal ancestral connections to those who once served the Darbar.

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(Disclaimer: The historical and ancestral claims in this podcast are of Arjun Raina. SBS does not necessarily reflect the official position or endorsement of it and assumes no liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the provided information.)

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