From Sandstone Apsara to Terracotta Vase: 297 smuggled artefacts handed back during Modi's US visit
Philadelphia: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States on Saturday, 297 antiquities that had been smuggled out of India were handed back to the country. This transfer brings the total number of antiquities recovered by India since 2014 to 640, including 578 that have been returned from the USA alone. This is the maximum number of cultural artefacts returned by any country to India.
Official sources said illicit trafficking of cultural property is a longstanding issue that has affected many cultures and countries throughout history, and India has been particularly hit.
Modi said on X, "Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India."
He thanked President Joe Biden for his support in the return of these artefacts. He noted that these objects were not just part of India's historical material culture, but formed the inner core of its civilisation and consciousness, the statement said.
Significance of the Returned Artefacts
In his statement, Modi emphasized that these artefacts are not merely historical objects but form the inner core of India's civilization and consciousness. Among the notable items returned are:
- Sandstone Apsara: From central India, dating to the 10th-11th century CE.
- Bronze Jain Tirthankar: From the 15th-16th century CE.
- Terracotta Vase: From eastern India, dating to the 3rd-4th century CE.
- Stone Sculpture: From South India, dating to the 1st century BCE-1st century CE.
Other significant items include a bronze statue of Lord Ganesh from South India (17-18th century CE), a sandstone statue of standing Lord Buddha from North India (15-16th century CE), and a bronze statue of Lord Vishnu from Eastern India (17-18th century CE).
Continuing Efforts to Recover Antiquities
Modi's previous visits to the US have also been fruitful in the recovery of antiquities. In 2021, he facilitated the return of 157 artefacts, including an exquisite bronze Nataraja statue from the 12th century CE. Following his 2023 visit, another 105 antiquities were returned.
India's successful recoveries extend beyond the USA, with artefacts also returned from the UK (16 artefacts) and Australia (40 artefacts), highlighting the government's ongoing efforts. In stark contrast, only one artefact was returned to India between 2004 and 2013.
Cultural Property Agreement
In July 2024, during the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India and the United States signed the first-ever Cultural Property Agreement. This agreement aims to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the USA.
A Commitment to Cultural Heritage
The achievements over the past decade underscore the Indian government's determination to reclaim stolen treasures and preserve cultural heritage for future generations. Modi's personal connections with global leaders have played a crucial role in these efforts, reaffirming India's cultural identity through the recovery of significant artefacts.
With agency inputs