A British travel vlogger known as ‘Discover with Emma’ shared a video from Thiruvananthapuram showing a witty conversation with a local woman about Britain’s colonial past.

Although the interaction appears casual and witty, Emma captioned the Instagram reel as “Indian woman confronts British tourists in Kerala”.

Discussion over colonial-era treasures

In the video, the woman asks the vlogger, “English people have looted us Indians. When will you give back to us?” referring to treasures taken during colonial rule.

Emma denied personal responsibility, to which the woman replied, “Treasure, black pepper, everything.” She added, “Kohinor... precious and rarest diamond they have looted from here. Give it back to India.”

Responding with humour, Emma said, “We’ll speak to King Charles and let you know,” ending the reel with, “Well, I didn’t expect that to happen today.”

Caption and reaction online

Sharing the video on Instagram, Emma wrote: “What are your thoughts? We were just standing there in Kerala when this lady asked where we were from… & the second we said England, she started telling us how the British looted India — the jewels, the spices, everything.”

She described it as “one of the most awkward moments” she had while travelling, though she added, “We know where that anger comes from though, and we completely get it. What happened during colonial times was awful.”

Emma said the incident made her reflect on “how long the shadows of colonialism still are.”

Earlier criticism of chained elephants in Kerala

In a previous post, the vlogger criticised the use of chained elephants during temple festivals, calling it “disgusting.” She described witnessing a “huge elephant, dressed in gold and silk… chained at the feet, neck and stomach with three men sat on it.”

She wrote that while the scene was filled with “drums, flowers, colour everywhere,” it left her “torn between awe and heartbreak.”

Emma added, “It’s culture. It’s history. But it’s also suffering. Travel isn’t just about beaches and bucket lists. It’s about empathy, even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Praise for Kerala’s beauty and culture

Despite her criticism, Emma has also praised Kerala for its scenic charm and hospitality. In a post from Varkala beach, she wrote: “Everyone says ‘don’t go to India — it’s dirty, it’s chaotic, it’s full of scams.’ But I’m here to show you that’s not the full picture.”

She described Varkala as “clean, calm, and unbelievably beautiful,” adding that “the beaches are peaceful, the locals are some of the friendliest I’ve met, and the food — next level.”

Emma said she spent three weeks in Kerala in 2023 and “fell in love” with the state, calling it “proof that India isn’t just one thing — it’s a thousand different stories.”

Her social media posts suggest she visited Delhi and Kochi before visiting Thiruvananthapuram. It may be noted that her safety ranking of Indian destinations, in which she described Kerala as the safest haven for women, was widely reported by the media.