The biggest haul of India’s antiquities from abroad
The New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) has offered over 1,400 artefacts, which are in the possession of the museums or authorities, for repatriation to India.
This is the biggest haul of India’s antiquities from abroad. While no specific details regarding their age or region have been provided to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) at this stage, the US authorities have said the 1,400 plus objects, from different sources, seem to be of “Indian provenance”.
A team of experts from the ASI has already departed for New York to examine their antiquarian value. The ASI — the custodian of all Indian antiquities —after verifying the objects as per the procedure, repatriation process will be initiated.
The ASI team will also authenticate the objects as “antiquities” or “non-antiquities”.
According to official sources, these objects have already been handed over to the Consulate General of India in New York.
The secretary, ministry of culture Govind Mohan said it could be the biggest ever repatriation of cultural heritage objects which were stolen from sites across states and smuggled out of the country over the decades.
“Large scale activities are going on this front. The US is keen to return over 1,400 antiquities, which are with their provincial museums. The team of ASI is already in New York. We will check whether they belong to us and worth taking back after checking records. It may take some time. However, we are moving very fast,” he said.
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