United States Returns Priceless Indian Heritage: 105 Trafficked Antiquities To Reach India Soon

United States has returned 105 trafficked antiquities to India, which will soon be back in the country.

A repatriation ceremony for these objects took place at the Indian Consulate in New York on Monday (17 July).

These 105 artefacts have a diverse range of origins in India. Around 50 of them are related to religious subjects, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam, while the rest hold cultural significance.

The objects being returned cover a wide span of 1,600 years, from the 1st century BC to the 15th century AD. They hold significant historical and market value, although their exact worth could not be determined, Indian Express reported citing officials.

Notable items among the antiquities include a terracotta Yakshi plaque from the 1st century BC, a red sandstone Dancing Ganesha from the 9th century, a 10th century Kubera, and various other valuable antiquities made of marble, terracotta, and sandstone.

Many of these items were illegally smuggled abroad through Subhash. Kapoor, an antique dealer who is currently in jail in Tamil Nadu.

Once the objects reach India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which operates under the Ministry of Culture, will decide whether to return them to their original place and hand them over to the respective state government, or display them at a museum dedicated to repatriated antiquities at Delhi's Purana Qila.

According to an official from the ASI's antiquity section, the verification process for Indian artefacts located in foreign countries involves experts examining them based on their knowledge, iconography, and wear-and-tear marks. However, there is no specified time limit for this process.

During his recent state visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his satisfaction with America's decision to return over 100 stolen antiquities to India.

PM Modi thanked the American government for this, as these antiquities had made their way into international markets.

PM Modi emphasised that these Indian antiquities had reached the international market through various means, legal and illegal.

However, America's decision to return them to India signifies the emotional bond between the two nations, he said.

The Ministry of Culture plans to sign a Cultural Property Agreement with the US to facilitate the smooth repatriation of all such smuggled antiquities.

Furthermore, India is also pursuing a similar agreement with the UK.