Empire: World History Should The Koh-I-Noor Be Returned? Mamdani vs King Charles III EXPLAINED
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May 1, 2026 A lively rundown of why the Koh-I-Noor diamond is in the headlines again and the politics around calls for its return. A tracing of the jewel's traumatic passage through Afghan and Punjabi royal families and the origins of its supposed curse. A wider look at how this debate fits into modern conversations about colonial restitution.
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History Podcast Responds To Current Events
- Empire podcast pivoted from long-form history to 'emergency' current affairs because colonial restitution stories became newsworthy.
- William Dalrymple and Anita Anand note several past series (Iran, Latin America, Greenland) suddenly aligning with breaking events.
Koh‑i‑Noor's Traumatic Passage To Britain
- The Koh‑i‑Noor's history is a recurring thread of trauma across royal families before arriving in British hands.
- William Dalrymple and Anita Anand link its passage through Afghan and Punjabi royals to misery and grief that preceded British acquisition.
Mamdani Sparked Renewed Public Debate
- The Koh‑i‑Noor debate resurfaced in media because New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly said he'd ask King Charles III to return the diamond.
- Anita Anand cites multiple headlines from outlets like the New York Times and BBC showing renewed public attention.