India, April 12 -- The British colonial era witnessed an extensive plundering of India's cultural and material heritage, with countless invaluable jewels and artifacts robbed and removed from where they rightfully belonged.

Among the most famous is the Kohinoor diamond, 'the mountain of light', a 105.6-carat flawless diamond, which once graced the Peacock Throne. In 1849, after the Anglo-Sikh wars, it was handed over-a euphemism for colonial theft-by a young Duleep Singh of Patiala to Queen Victoria, and now is the main centre of attraction at the Tower of London, a dazzling reminder of colonialism and loss. Its value today is estimated to exceed Rs.1 lakh crore (approximately over $12 billion).

The Kohinoor was not the only priceless s...