ASI plans drive for return of Raj art loot
Britain expects India to shortly ask yet again for the return of its artefacts allegedly looted during the colonial period and now showcased in various British museums.
The Independent newspaper said the Archaeological Survey of India is now compiling a list of the stolen riches before launching a “diplomatic and legal campaign” for t
heir restitution from institutions, including the British Museum, the royal collection and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Among the items from the list quoted by the newspaper are the 2.3-metre-tall bronze Buddha statue excavated from Sultanganj in Bihar, which is now in Birmingham, and the Amravati railings, a series of limestone carvings dating from 100 A.D. and acquired from a Buddhist temple in Andhra Pradesh by Victorian explorers. Also, as always on such lists, is the world-famous Kohinoor diamond, which once graced the crown of the then Empress of India.
The Indian initiative follows a conference in Cairo last April where several Asian, African and South American countries called for a concerted effort with Unesco’s help for the return
of their national treasures. The followed the realisation by these countries that individual attempts had so far proved unsuccessful.
While some British museums have indicated they might be willing to consider the return of some smaller artefacts, most museums are against returning any of the major items as they claim this is banned under British laws. Rita McLean, head of the Birmingham Museum said: “We have not received any official request for the return of the Sultanganj Buddha. Any requests for restitution will be treated on a case-by-case basis.” — IANS
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