Following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, the world has been in the news for the past 2 weeks. At the same time as news of him broke, there were widespread calls for the return of priceless artefacts from other countries in Britain.
Kohinoor diamond
Within hours of the queen’s death, people from across India started posting on social media demanding the return of the Kohinoor diamond in her crown. Kohinoor means “Peak of Light”. Although the exact origin of the Kohinoor diamond is not known, it is said to have been mined in the 13th century from a diamond mine in Golconda, present-day Telangana.
According to palace websites, the 10-year-old Raja Duleep Singh handed over the Kohinoor diamond when the East India Company conquered Punjab. After the diamond was rumored to be unlucky for men, only royal women started wearing it.
Originally worn by Queen Victoria, the Kohinoor diamond later found its place in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary. The crown currently worn by Queen Elizabeth II was made for her mother, Elizabeth I. Now the crown will be worn by Camilla, wife of King Charles. Voices have been raised not only from India but also from Pakistan to claim the Kohinoor diamond.
South African diamond
Like India, there have been calls to bring back the diamonds transported to Britain from South Africa. “This diamond, known as Africa’s biggest star, was mined in the Transvaal province of South Africa in 1905 from a mine owned by Thomas Cullinan. This is the highest quality uncut diamond ever discovered. According to the British website, this diamond was given to the then King Edward VII in 1907.
However, social activists from South Africa are denying this information. Historians say that all the diamond mines that operated in the Transvaal Province were part of the Transvaal Province, a private mining company and part of the colonial system of the British government. This diamond is currently placed in the Scepter. Considered a symbol of exploitation, there have been widespread calls for the diamond to be displayed in a South African museum.
Read more | Who Will Kohinoor Diamond Go To After Queen Elizabeth’s Death?
Elgin Sculptures
There has been a demand to bring back the Parthian sculptures known as the Elgin sculptures which were brought from Greece. The Parthenon sculptures are sculptures from the Temple of Athena in Athens. According to historical reports, in 1803, Lord Elgin of Britain transported the Parthenon sculptures from the damaged walls of Greece to London. According to information in the British Museum, Elgin was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and took the Parthenon sculptures to London with his permission.
This is why they are known as Elgin sculptures. Since 1925 there has been a demand to bring these sculptures to Greece. Notably, actor George Clooney and his wife Amal campaigned to bring the Elgin sculptures to Greece.
Rosetta Inscription
Just as Indians are clamoring for the return of the Kohinoor diamond, Egyptians are demanding the return of the Rosetta inscription on display in the British Museum. This inscription was instrumental in translating the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. This inscription was discovered in 1799 by a French military officer in Memphis, Egypt. The stone was captured by British forces in Alexandria two years later and handed over to the British Museum in 1802.
Since then the stone has remained in the British Museum. The stone was moved only once in 1917, when it was moved to protect important objects from bombing during World War I. Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass has led a campaign to bring the Rosetta Stone back to Egypt.
Benin Bronze Sculptures
Similarly, in 1897, thousands of bronze sculptures were transported to Britain from what is now Benin, Nigeria. It is said that their number may be more than 3 thousand. British explorer James Phillips is said to have ordered the British Empire’s army to steal artefacts from Benin to avenge the killing of Benin’s king, the Oba, and to transport the stolen artefacts across Europe.
Some of these are still in the British Museum in London. The people of the country have demanded that Nigeria bring back Benin sculptures which are a symbol of ancient African culture.
It is clear that all these were carried over from Britain when it had other countries under its colonial rule. Although the current British royal family cannot be held responsible for colonialism, it can even be said that it is their moral duty to right the wrongs done by them and return the stolen artefacts. Historians are of the view that at least the handing over of the artefacts to their respective countries can atone for the wrongs done in the past.
Read more | Bring Kohinoor Diamond to India : Appeal to President
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