Syllabus: 

GS1: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Context: A portion of sacred Buddhist relics excavated in northern India in 1898 was recently returned to India.

More on the News

• The collection of 349 gemstones was acquired by Indian industrialist Pirojsha Godrej for an undisclosed amount.

• Godrej has agreed to loan a “large portion” of the collection to the National Museum for a period of five years and display the entire collection for three months upon its arrival.

• This successful repatriation sets a benchmark in cultural diplomacy and collaboration, showcasing how strategic partnerships between public institutions and private enterprises can protect and preserve global heritage. 

• Originally slated for auction in Hong Kong on May 7, the sacred artefacts were successfully secured by the Ministry of Culture through decisive intervention. 

• The British crown took possession of Peppé’s discovery under the 1878 Indian Treasure Trove Act. 

• Some of the bone and ash fragments were gifted to King Chulalongkorn of Siam (now Thailand) while most of the relics were moved to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899.

• These are classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law which means they cannot be removed from the country or sold.

Piprahwa relics

• The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppe in Piprahwa (A village in UP’s Siddharthnagar district near the border of Nepal.).

• These are believed to be associated with the mortal remains of Lord Buddha. 

• The Piprahwa Relics include bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer and offerings, such as gold ornaments and gemstones.

• Enshrined by followers in the 3rd century BC, these relics hold deep spiritual value for Buddhists worldwide and rank among India’s most significant archaeological finds.

• These relics, excavated from the Piprahwa Stupa, are widely recognized as the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

• An inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms that these are relics of the Buddha, placed there by the Sakya clan.

Kapilvastu Relics

• The Kapilavastu relics primarily refer to the bone fragments believed to be the remains of the Buddha and his Sakya clan, discovered at the Piprahwa stupa in Uttar Pradesh, India. Piprahwa is widely identified as the site of ancient Kapilavastu. 

• The most notable discovery came in 1898 with an inscribed casket directly linking the relics to the Buddha and the Sakyas. 

• Further excavations in the 1970s uncovered additional caskets with more bone fragments.

Sources: The Hindu

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/piprahwa-gems-sacred-buddha-relics-originally-set-for-auction-in-hong-kong-in-may-returns-to-india/article69876975.ece

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sacred-buddhist-piprahwa-gemstones-auction-repatriated-india-127-years-10159845/