After Australia returned 29 stolen Indian antiquities, Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday (March 21) informed that these cultural treasures will now be handed over to the temples of respective states from where they were taken.
Speaking to ANI, Reddy said they have been brought back from Australia as a part of a special drive. He said, “The antiquities primarily sculptures and paintings, which have been brought back from Australia today are part of a special drive… We are working on it actively…Soon, we will hand over those items to respective states, their temples,”.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual summit with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, Australia had handed over 29 antiquities to India because it is part of our civilization and heritage.
As per reports, the antiquities range in six broad categories as per themes – Shiva and his disciples, Worshipping Shakti, Lord Vishnu and his forms, Jain traditions, portraits, and decorative objects. These antiquities come from different time periods, with earlier ones dating to the 9-10 century CE.
These antiquities and paintings are made from a variety of materials – sandstone, marble, bronze, brass, paper and were stolen from across India. The antiquities are from the Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal.
The repatriated antiquities include Shiva Bhairav, a 9th-10th century CE Rajasthan Sandstone, the child-saint Sambandar from 12th century CE, and seated Jina sculpture from Mount Abu region, Rajasthan.
Other antiquities repatriated include the portrait of Maharaja Sir Kishen Pershad Yamin Lala Deen Dayal, memorial portrait of Hiralal A. Gandhi, and untitled ‘Manorath’ portrait of donor and priests before Shri Nathji, Nathdwara.
Since the advent of the Narendra Modi government some 200 stolen antiquities have been returned to India from across the world.
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