The Source Book On Sikhism

Koh-i-Noor Sails to London

When the diamond reached Bombay it was handed over to Lt.Col. Mackenson and Capt. Ramsay for taking it most carefully to London. The two officers sailed with their precious trust forthwith. On the 3rd, July, 1850, this unique jewel was personally presented to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. In 1851 it was exhibited in the great Hyde Park Exhibition. The exhibitors prepared a glass imitation of the historical Koh-i-Noor which is still preserved in the archives of the Lahore Museum. The year following, i.e. 1852, the diamond was subjected to an unfortunate cutting operation which cost 8,000 pounds.

Hitherto, since the arrival of the Maharaja Daleep Singh Ji in England, no one had talked to him about Koh-i-Noor. They knew that to him Koh-i-Noor meant something beyond a jewel of fabulous value. One day when Lady Login was riding with him in Rickmand Park she put the question in a casual manner, 'would you like to see the Koh-i-Noor again?' ‘Yes’, was his answer. ‘I would give a great deal to hold it again in my hand.’ ‘I was only a child when I surrendered it to Her Majesty by the Treaty, but now I am old enough to understand.’ This feeling was repeated to Her Majesty by Lady Login the next day.

Unknown to the Maharaja, who was engaged with the painter at the further end of the room, Her Majesty at once gave orders for the Koh-i-Noor to be sent for from the Tower. After a short interval there was a slight bustle near the door: the arrival of the jewel and its escort was announced and it was brought in and presented to Queen Victoria.