During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Priyanka Chopra Jonas raised the subject of the Koh-i-Noor diamond while discussing the history of British colonization in India. The exchange came amid a conversation about the East India Trading Company and the removal of wealth and historical artifacts from the subcontinent.
Chopra introduced the topic in the context of what was taken during the colonial era: “There was so much that was taken from India in terms of wealth and history and historical artifacts. And the Koh-i-Noor diamond which is still on the Queen’s crown which came from India.”
Rogan responded with surprise: “The Queen of England? She has a diamond on her crown that she stole from.” Chopra then asked Rogan’s producer Jamie to pull up the image.
Rogan’s view on what should happen next was direct: “That b**ch, give it back.”
Chopra confirmed that pressure for its return is far from new: “Yeah, we’ve been asking for it for a minute.”
When an image appeared, Rogan zeroed in on its scale: “Whoa, how big is that sucker?” On learning the diamond weighs 105 carats, he continued: “What is that worth? Well, besides the historical value of it, which is probably priceless. What is 105 carats worth? That’s nuts. Imagine walking around with a rock like that on your hand.”
Chopra reinforced the point: “I mean, that’s what I’m saying. The royalty in India had so much jewelry and wealth and stuff that was pillaged and just taken.”
The discussion eventually shifted when Rogan brought up ancient Indian texts, saying, “Well, the history of India is fascinating like in the Vedic texts and the descriptions of Vimanas. Have you ever read any of that stuff?”
Chopra replied that she was familiar with the Vedas but had not studied them extensively. She stated: “Yeah, the Vedas. Not not extensively, but clearly you have.”
The Koh-i-Noor is currently on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. The governments of India, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan have each claimed ownership of the stone, demanding its return since India gained independence from the British Empire in 1947.
The British government maintains the gem was obtained legally under the terms of the Last Treaty of Lahore in 1849 and has rejected all such claims. In 2018, at a hearing before the Supreme Court of India, the Archaeological Survey of India stated that the diamond was surrendered to the British and “was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away.”
