The End

Diamonds are more than pretty objects.

Pastown over centuries, they can tell the story of a family, a country, or a past.

But that story is often one of colonization and violence.

For many South Asians, the diamond that invokes this painful colonial history is the Kohi

Nour.

More than 105 carats, it's one of the largest diamonds in the world.

And it was removed from the region by the British Empire in the 19th century, from what is now

modern-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

Today the diamond is held by Britain's royal family.

But the death of Queen Elizabeth last September revived calls for its return.

In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Consort Camilla would not wear the

Kohi Nour diamond in her crown for the coronation of King Charles.

But is that enough?

How should we handle artifacts taken during colonial periods in modern times?

And what do empires owe the nations they colonized?

After the break, we bring you our conversation on the complicated history of the Kohi Nour

diamond and how it became a stand-in for reckoning with the colonial past.

I'm Celeste Headley in for Gen White.

You're listening to the 1A podcast where we get to the heart of the story.

We've got a lot to get into, so stay with us.

We're bringing you our discussion on the Kohi Nour diamond.

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