UK returned the stolen bronze image of Buddha
London police returned the 12th Century AD Bronze image of Buddha which was stolen from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Museum at Nalanda in 1961 to the Indian High Commission. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed over the statue to the Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel.
The bronze image of Buddha:
ICOM was established in the year 1946. ICOM, the only global organization in the museum field, is located in Paris, France. The non-governmental organization maintains formal relations with UNESCO. ICOM discusses and takes measures on issues related to cultural heritage. ICOM is active in 141 countries with 119 national committees. It also promotes capacity building and advances knowledge. It raises public cultural awareness through global networks and co-operation programmes.
London police returned the 12th Century AD Bronze image of Buddha which was stolen from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Museum at Nalanda in 1961 to the Indian High Commission. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed over the statue to the Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel.
The bronze image of Buddha:
- The 12th Century AD Bronze image of Buddha seated in the Bhumipasara mudra was stolen by the British in August 1961. The art was influenced by Buddhism. It was amongst the 19 bronze statues stolen from ASI Nalanda site museum.
- In 2018, the statue was spotted by the India Pride Project, an online volunteer group of an Art enthusiast, at an auction organized by a London based dealer. International Council of Museums (ICOM) inspected the image and confirmed that it was the one stolen from Nalanda museum.
ICOM was established in the year 1946. ICOM, the only global organization in the museum field, is located in Paris, France. The non-governmental organization maintains formal relations with UNESCO. ICOM discusses and takes measures on issues related to cultural heritage. ICOM is active in 141 countries with 119 national committees. It also promotes capacity building and advances knowledge. It raises public cultural awareness through global networks and co-operation programmes.
