The Kohinoor diamond, claimed by India, will go on display with a new exhibition at the Tower of London on Friday within a “symbol of conquest” setting to try and contextualise its turbulent colonial history in a “transparent, balanced and inclusive” way.
Kohinoor, also referred to as Koh-i-Noor, forms part of the new Jewel House exhibition at the tourist attraction and is accompanied by a video which charts the diamond’s journey around the globe. The attached labels for specific royal ornaments the Kohinoor has adorned over the years further explain the history of the diamond, which means mountain of light. “The new exhibition explores the origins of a number of items in the collection, including the Koh-i-Noor,” said a spokesperson for the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the charity that manages Britain’s palaces.
“It references its long history as a symbol of conquest, which has passed through the hands of Mughal Emperors, Shahs of Iran, Emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh Maharajas. We conducted extensive audience research before putting together this display, as well as consulting local community groups and specialist academics, which has informed our approach throughout and shaped our presentation of the Koh-i-Noor’s story,” the spokesperson said.