This emergency episode of Empire: World History addresses the sudden resurgence of the debate surrounding the Koh-i-Noor diamond, specifically calls for King Charles III to return it to India. Hosts Anita Arnest and William Drupal explain how this controversial jewel, which brought them together through their research, has a history of bringing misery to the families who possessed it before it ended up with the British.
Summarized by Podsumo
The episode is a special 'emergency' podcast, highlighting the immediate relevance and topicality of the Koh-i-Noor diamond debate.
Recent headlines feature figures like New York City Mayor Zoraan Mamdani publicly advising King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India.
The hosts, Anita Arnest and William Drupal, reveal their initial collaboration was sparked by their individual research into families (the last king of Afghanistan and the last Maharaja of Punjab's granddaughter) whose lives were negatively impacted by the diamond.
The Koh-i-Noor is described as a 'cursed' diamond that brought 'misery and grief' to the families through whose hands it passed before its acquisition by the British.
"Mamdani gives King Charles, a royal brushback over a crown jewel, swipe, trim India."
"This is how we know it's our rock. It is our time and this is us."
"Both of their families had the Koeh Naur diamond passed through their sweaty little hands. And they didn't end up happily ever after either of them. No, it's sort of ripped through their families in misery and grief and it ends up with the British."