Australia has returned as many as 29 antiquities to India that include sculptures and paintings dating back to 9-10 century CE, in what is seen as a major boost to New Delhi's efforts to get back valuable artefacts of the country's heritage scattered across the world.
The development comes as a goodwill gesture ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual summit with Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself inspected the antiquities returned by Australia and his government has so far succeeded in bringing back over 200 antiquities stolen from India and sold across the world to various collectors.
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 9-10 century CE.
These are primarily sculptures and paintings executed in a variety of materials – sandstone, marble, bronze, brass and paper and have a pan-India representation that includes Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.
The antiquities that have been repatriated 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 that have been handed back 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.
