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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is bringing back priceless artefacts and Indian antiquities from the US, one among which is claimed to be a minimum of 7,000 years old. The US handed over 157 pieces of artefacts to PM Modi, that he “conveyed his deep appreciation for the repatriation of antiquities to India by the United States”, the govt said during a statement today.
PM Modi is within the US on a three-day visit full of bilateral meetings and other important engagements, including an address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
PM Modi and US President Joe Biden committed to strengthening efforts to fight theft, illegal trade and trafficking of cultural objects, the govt said.
The list of 157 artefacts includes a various set to items starting from a one-and-a-half metre low relief panel of Revanta in sandstone from the 10th CE to an 8.5 cm tall, exquisite bronze Nataraja from the 12th CE.
“The items largely belong to the amount of 11th CE to 14th CE also as historic antiquities like a copper anthropomorphic object of 2000 BC or a terracotta vase from the 2nd CE. Some 45 antiquities belong to Before Christian era ,” the govt said.
While half the artefacts (71) are cultural, the opposite half consists of figurines linked to Hinduism (60), Buddhism (16) and Jainism (9).
“This continues the efforts by the Modi government to bring back our antiquities and artefacts from across the planet ,” the govt said.
The government has been actively pursuing the recovery of India’s antiquities that were stolen and forcibly removed by colonialists over the years.
The government has been actively pursuing the recovery of India’s antiquities that were stolen over the years.
Between 2004 and 2014, just one ancient antiquity returned to India. However, between 2014 and 2021, over 200 antiquities have either returned or are within the process of being returned. Also, between 1976 and 2013, only 13 such antiquities had been returned. “This means, in seven years, the Modi government has brought back more ancient Indian treasures than the four decades before it,” consistent with sources.
Stolen antiquities are being retrieved from the US, Australia, Singapore, Germany, Canada and therefore the UK. The National Gallery of Australia in July this year announced its plans to return stolen artworks worth $2.2 million to India.
Stolen antiquities are being retrieved from the US, Australia, Singapore, Germany, Canada and therefore the UK.
These antiquities had been stolen from almost every region of India, like Tamil Nadu , Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh , West Bengal , Uttar Pradesh , Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Bihar.
No theft has been reported from any centrally protected monument or site museum under the Archaeological Survey of India within the past few years, which is a crucial achievement within the protection of India’s heritage.
