Why is India the “jewel of the British crown”?

This enthusiastic epithet entered the international political and journalistic lexicon after 1858, when India was officially declared a colony of great Britain, and the British Queen Victoria-the Empress of India.

Among the numerous British colonies, India was the most populous and had the largest natural resources, besides, India has since ancient times secured the reputation of the world’s “supplier” of precious stones and jewelry. Continue reading →