The United States has returned 1,400 stolen artefacts to India, including rare sculptures, ancient stones, and religious figures. The total value of the items is estimated at 10 million dollars (approximately Rs 84.47 crore). According to reports, these artefacts were looted from various parts of India and smuggled to America.
Notable artefacts among those recovered
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The returned items include a sandstone sculpture, which was stolen from a temple in Madhya Pradesh in the early 1980s. Also returned was a green-grey stone sculpture of a goddess, looted from Thanesar-Mahadev village in Rajasthan, as well as other sacred religious figures. These items are of great cultural and historical significance.
US-India agreement to curb smuggling
In July, India and the United States signed an agreement aimed at protecting cultural property and fighting the illegal trade of artefacts. The agreement also streamlines the process for returning stolen antiquities to India. As part of this ongoing effort, the United States has now handed over these valuable artefacts.
Earlier return of 297 antiquities
This is not the first time the US has returned stolen items to India. In September, the United States had returned 297 antiquities that had been illegally smuggled out of the country.
Published: 16 Nov 2024, 11:18 am IST
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