But India wants it back.

 

Bollywood stars and businessmen have united to instruct lawyers to begin legal proceedings¹ in London's High Court to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

 

The diamond was in the crown worn by the Queen Mother at the coronation of her husband King George VI in 1937 and again at Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953.

 

The group, which has called itself the "Mountain of Light" after the translation of the stone's name, say that the 105-carat diamond was stolen from its true home in India and are demanding that the UK Government returns it.

 

The stone is "one of the many artefacts taken from India under dubious² circumstances", according to David de Souza from the Indian leisure group Tito's.

 

Souza claims the British colonisation of India had stolen wealth and "destroyed the country's psyche³".

 

The jewel was given to the reigning⁴ Queen of the time by the last ruler of the Sikhs, Duleep Singh, after the British annexe of the Punjab.

 

Bollywood star Bhumicka Singh, also part of the group, said: "The Koh-i-noor is not just a 105-carat stone, but part of our history and culture and should undoubtedly⁵ be returned."

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