Six of the seven objects, including the stone door jams from the 11th century and the carvings from the 14th century, were taken from temples and shrines in the 19th century.
Seven stolen artefacts are scheduled to be shipped from Glasgow back to India in what may be considered the first repatriation from the UK to India. At the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Indian High Commission representatives signed an agreement to complete the move.
Returning the artefacts to India
A sandstone carving of the Hindu goddess Uma or Durga, an 11th-century carved stone door jamb taken from a Hindu temple in Kanpur, and a ceremonial Indo-Persian tulwar or sword that is thought to have been made in the 14th century are among the seven objects being returned.
The artefacts’ origin and history
Six of the seven objects, including the sculptures from the 14th century and the stone door jambs from the 11th century, were taken from temples and shrines in the 19th century. The tulwar and its scabbard, the eighth item, were taken from the Nizam of Hyderabad’s collection in 1905 by his prime minister and sold to the British commander Sir Archibald Hunter. All of the artefacts were subsequently donated to the Glasgow museum.
The artefacts, some of which are over a thousand years old, are reportedly from Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kanpur, Bihar, and Gwalior, according to report.
What was said by the Indian high commissioner?
Sujit Ghosh, the acting Indian high commissioner, praised the decision, according to BBC “These artefacts will now be returned home since they represent a vital part of our civilization’s history. We want to thank everyone who helped make this happen, especially Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council.”
Scotland’s Museums response
The process of repatriating antiquities has reportedly been ongoing in Glasgow for a very long period, according to Duncan Dornan, director of Glasgow Museums. Establishing a rapport, developing trust, learning about the history of the items, and having faith that the items in question were wrongfully removed are all lengthy processes, he added.
India’s return and its significance
Later this year, the artefacts will be returned to India, and according to Dornan, the deal is incredibly important because this will be the first time artefacts from a UK museum have been brought back to India.
“The specifics of how the items will be used after they return to India are unknown. However, they are obviously significant and this is a momentous occasion in both Glasgow and India, so I’m sure they will attract a lot of public attention “said he.
According to a Daily Mail report, Bailie Annette Christie, the chair of Glasgow Life and a councillor for Glasgow, noted that the return of the artefacts would be of enormous historical and cultural significance to both Glasgow and India.
She continued, “The agreement made with the Government of India is another illustration of Glasgow’s dedication to righting previous wrongs and remaining open when describing how artefacts ended up in the city’s museum collections.
