Wilmington, Delaware – Two hundred ninety-seven stolen or trafficked antiquities from India will be repatriated to India from the US. The return of these priceless artifacts follows the signing of the Cultural Property Agreement in July 2024. This agreement, signed between the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Archaeological Survey of India (under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India), outlines the legal framework for the return of stolen cultural artifacts. This move fulfills a joint commitment made by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2023 to enhance collaboration in protecting cultural heritage.
Prime Minister Modi was symbolically presented with a selection of these artifacts on the sidelines of their bilateral meeting in Wilmington, Delaware. Both leaders viewed several pieces which showcased India’s rich cultural history. Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep appreciation to President Biden, remarking that these antiquities not only represented India’s material culture but also formed the inner core of the nation’s civilization and consciousness.
The antiquities span nearly 4,000 years of Indian history, from 2000 BCE to the early 20th century. They originate from different regions across India, most being terracotta artifacts from Eastern India. Other items are made of stone, metal, wood, and ivory. They showcase the diverse artistry and craftsmanship of ancient Indian civilizations, each with its own unique beauty and significance.
Some of the notable antiquities include:
- A sandstone Apsara from Central India (10-11th century CE),
- A bronze Jain Tirthankar from Central India (15-16th century CE),
- A terracotta vase from Eastern India (3-4th century CE),
- A stone sculpture from South India (1st century BCE-1st century CE),
- A bronze Lord Ganesh from South India (17-18th century CE) and
- A copper anthropomorphic figure from North India (2000-1800 BCE).
Since 2016, the US has facilitated the return of 578 stolen or trafficked antiquities to India—the highest number of cultural artifacts returned by any country. This includes ten artifacts repatriated during Prime Minister Modi’s visit in 2016, 157 during his September 2021 visit, and 105 in June 2023.
