London8 minutes ago
- copy link
The British also took away a necklace studded with four big rubies. It has the largest spinel ruby of 325.5 carats. It is also called ‘Taimur Ruby Haar’.
Ahead of Prince Charles’s coronation, the Guardian has revealed in its ‘Cost of the Crown’ series that apart from the Kohinoor, many other valuables were looted from India. Along with sculptures, paintings, there was also a gold waistband studded with 19 emeralds. It was used to decorate horses in the stables of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the then princely state of Punjab.
In a 1987 study of the Royal Jewellery, Leslie Field mentioned necklaces with two rows of pearls. It also had 222 pearls and rubies surrounded by diamonds. It is claimed that this too belonged to Ranjit Singh. On the other hand, the matter of grabbing Punjab by putting pressure on Ranjit Singh’s youngest son Duleep is well known.
Kohinoor diamond of 21.6 grams and 10.5.6 carats. It was given to Queen Victoria by the East India Company in 1852.
The biggest spinal ruby necklace was also looted
The series mentions an investigation, in which Queen Mary (Elizabeth II’s grandmother) is quoted as mentioning the source of her royal jewels. According to the documents, a necklace studded with four big rubies is also in the treasury. It has the largest spinel ruby (flexible and light weight) of 325.5 carats. It is also called ‘Taimur Ruby’.
Queen Elizabeth was seen handling it in the 1969 BBC documentary Royal Family. It remained with many Mughal rulers until it was passed on to Queen Victoria.
The British took it as a symbol of victory
A 1912 report describes how the priceless gems included in Charles’s royal collection were brought from India as a symbol of victory and later given to Queen Victoria. As part of the conquests, the Company plundered countless gems, sashes and the priceless Kohinoor. These things are now the property of the royal house. The Kohinoor, on the other hand, is part of the Queen Mother’s crown and has come to symbolize Britain’s tortuous relationship with its royal history.
The British had also taken this priceless ring with them. It is believed that this ring belonged to Tipu Sultan.
Everything was kept in the exhibition 5 years ago
All these things were kept in the exhibition organized when Buckingham Palace was opened in the summer about 5 years ago. Prince Charles’ favorite gems were also kept in the Royal Collection. According to the report, this disclosure has been made on the basis of a 46-page file of the archives of India Office, the responsible government department during the British rule.
Earnings of royal family: Charles got 6 thousand crores in 20 years
The British royal family is one of the prestigious families in the world. Charles, 74, has received Rs 6,221 crore for services from the private fund Duchy of Cornwall. His total engagements stood at 10,934. After becoming the king, he will get Rs 200 crore annually for his expenses. As Queen, Camilla has got a large house in Wiltshire. The money received by the rest of the members has not been disclosed.