Smithsonian return sparks hopes of loaning Telugu artefacts from global museums
The Smithsonian Institution’s decision to return three temple sculptures stolen from Tamil Nadu has revived hopes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana of securing loans of artefacts from the Telugu states that are displayed in museums abroad.
Officials say repatriating stolen antiquities is relatively easy. However, recovering objects taken out of India during the colonial period remains a long and difficult process. In this context, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has asked state governments to prepare a detailed plan to seek loans of Indian objects of historical, cultural, archaeological and religious value from foreign museums.
After the Andhra Pradesh government renewed its demand for the return of Amaravati sculptures from the United Kingdom, Piyush Srivastava, additional secretary (EW) in the MEA, wrote to Ajay Jain, special chief secretary (culture). He said the Indian high commission in London had begun discussions with the British Museum on the issue.
The official suggested that India first explore the possibility of loaning the artefacts. He said a permanent return of objects held by the British Museum for a long period could take more time and may involve complex conditions.
He added that a loan arrangement, once agreed upon by the British Museum and Indian agencies, could help advance talks and later support the case for permanent repatriation. The MEA asked the state government to submit a detailed proposal and identify the agency that would take custody of the artefacts during their stay in India.
Several treasures from Telugu states abroad
The British Museum alone displays at least 120 sculptures and artefacts from Amaravati, dating from the first century BCE to the fifth century CE. Museums in France, the UK, Iran and the United States house several diamonds discovered in the Krishna river basin during the Qutub Shahi period, including the Kohinoor, Hope and Regent diamonds.
The Bata Museum owns the footwear of Sikander Jah, founder of Secunderabad, which feature among the world’s most expensive footwear collections. In London, the Royal Air Force Museum displays a DH9A aircraft of Hyderabad Squadron 110, donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad during World War II.
International museums also hold Buddhist sculptures from the Nizam’s collection and Golconda paintings from Telangana. These include the Nizam’s ceremonial sword in the Glasgow Museum, Buddhist artefacts in a New York museum and objects in museums in Seoul. A brass alam used during Muharram was returned from the National Gallery of Australia a few years ago.
Amaravati marbles and legal hurdles
The Amaravati marbles, also known as the Elliot marbles after Sir Walter Elliot, were taken to London in 1859 following excavations at the Amaravati Mahachaitya. Poor storage damaged the sculptures after the abolition of the East India Company. Authorities later moved them from the Indian Museum in Kolkata to the British Museum in 1880.
Historian Jasti Veera Anjaneyulu said nearly one-third of the sculptures discovered during excavations between 1845 and 1853 were taken to London. Government museums in Chennai hold several others, while museums in countries such as Singapore and France display the remaining pieces.
Anjaneyulu said the Centre had clarified that artefacts moved out of India before Independence do not fall under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972. He added that officials cannot term such cases illegal trafficking. He urged the state government to speed up efforts to secure loans while pursuing their final return.
INTACH member P Anuradha Reddy said the British Museum holds the largest Amaravati collection outside India. She said India could seek repatriation, as the British had documented the artefacts before moving them to London.
She pointed out that the Kohinoor involved a different legal and historical context, as Maharaja Duleep Singh was a minor when he presented the diamond to the British crown under the Treaty of Lahore. Reddy said India has often loaned its artefacts to foreign museums and could seek similar arrangements for objects that were neither stolen nor illegally sold.
In August 2021, the National Gallery of Australia returned 14 antique pieces to India. Two of them belonged to Hyderabad, including a brass alam and an original photograph of Maharaja Kishen Pershad, former prime minister of the princely Hyderabad state.
