Washington - A total of 105 trafficked antiquities are set to make their way back to India from the United States, according to officials. The repatriation ceremony took place at the Indian Consulate in New York on Monday, marking a significant step in preserving the country's cultural heritage.
The return of these precious artifacts follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent state visit to the USA, during which both nations agreed to sign a Cultural Property Agreement. This agreement aims to facilitate the smooth repatriation of antiquities and combat the illegal trafficking of India's heritage items.
The range of objects being repatriated spans an impressive 1,600 years, dating from the 1st century BC to the 15th century AD. Among them are valuable artifacts such as a terracotta Yakshi plaque from the 1st century BC, stolen from 'eastern India,' a red sandstone Dancing Ganesha from the 9th century with provenance in central India, and a 10th-century Kubera, also from central India. The collection includes several other significant antiquities made of materials like marble, terracotta, and sandstone. Many of these items were allegedly smuggled abroad through the actions of jailed antique dealer Subhash Kapoor.
The repatriated artifacts represent a diverse geographical spread across India, with approximately 50 relating to religious subjects from Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam, while others hold immense cultural importance.
Once back in India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), operating under the Ministry of Culture, will decide whether the objects should be returned to their original locations and handed over to respective state governments or displayed at a museum dedicated to repatriated antiquities at Purana Qila in Delhi.
During his US visit, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude for America's decision to return more than 100 stolen antiquities to India. He commended the American government's cooperation in rectifying the situation and safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.
Furthermore, India is actively exploring the possibility of signing a similar agreement with the UK to further prevent the trafficking of antiques and protect its valuable historical artifacts.