UK to return 7 artefacts stolen from India during British rule

There is heartening news for India as Scotland’s Glasgow city museums have signed an agreement with the Government to send back seven artefacts stolen from this country.

Among the seven antiquities which will come back to India are a 14th Century ceremonial Indo-Persian talwar or sword, and a carved stone door jamb which belongs to the 11th Century and was taken from a temple in Kanpur.

While this news about this had been shared by Glasgow Life, a charitable organisation which runs the city’s museums, earlier this year, the arrangement about transfer of ownership was formalised at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the presence of Acting Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sujit Ghosh.

Talking to the media, Ghosh said: “We are delighted that our partnership with Glasgow Life has resulted in a decision to restitute Indian artefacts from Glasgow museums to India.”

It was during the 19th Century that a majority of these seven objects had been removed or stolen from shrines and temples from northern India States. One among them was purchased following a theft from the owner. As per Glasgow Life, the seven artefacts were gifted to Glasgow’s collections.

Apart from these objects, 19 Benin bronzes to Nigeria will also be repatriated.