India Fights to Reclaim Holy Relics Ahead of Controversial Auction

Fri Jul 18 2025 04:19:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
India Fights to Reclaim Holy Relics Ahead of Controversial Auction

The Indian government has issued a legal order to halt the auction of significant Buddhist relics taken during British colonization, igniting an intense cultural and ethical debate.


As an auction featuring relics believed to belong to Buddha approaches, India seeks to reclaim these valuable artifacts from Sotheby’s, emphasizing the need for cultural preservation and respect for historical injustices. The case raises important questions regarding the ownership and treatment of cultural treasures removed by colonial powers.


In a significant move, the Indian government has entered the fray to prevent the auction of a striking collection of Buddhist relics and jewels, which were allegedly unearthed by a colonial-era English explorer in 1898. These artifacts, believed to be buried alongside the remains of Buddha, represent some of the most sacred treasures in Buddhist history. As Sotheby’s prepares to auction these culturally and religiously significant items on behalf of the explorer's descendants, India is asserting its claim, arguing for their return for “preservation and religious veneration.”

These irreplaceable relics are at the center of an ongoing discourse on how post-imperial nations grapple with the legacy of cultural appropriation. Ashley Thompson, a Southeast Asian art professor at the University of London, highlighted the pressing need to reevaluate the status of such artifacts, questioning their ownership and value in a modern context. The United States, alongside many European nations, has recently begun addressing similar dilemmas, with institutions returning antiquities to Indigenous groups and former colonies.

This development reflects a broader movement toward recognizing and rectifying historical injustices, especially concerning cultural artifacts removed during colonial rule. The readiness of various countries to reassess the possession of such relics indicates an important shift toward accountability and respect for original cultures. As India continues its legal battle, the outcome will undoubtedly influence future dialogues about the handling of looted artifacts worldwide.

MORE ON THEME

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 21:46:36 GMT

Historic ‘Rosebud’ Sled from Citizen Kane Auctioned for $14.75 Million

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 21:46:36 GMT
Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:21:58 GMT

**Samsung's Lee Jae-yong Acquitted by Supreme Court, Ends Legal Turmoil**

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:21:58 GMT
Thu, 17 Jul 2025 01:01:06 GMT

**Record-Breaking Martian Meteorite Fetches $4.3 Million at Auction**

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 01:01:06 GMT
Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:34:58 GMT

Historic Mars Meteorite Fetches $4.3 Million at New York Auction

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:34:58 GMT
Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:53:20 GMT

### Eswatini to Repatriate Deported Migrants from the U.S. Amid Controversy

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:53:20 GMT
Wed, 16 Jul 2025 08:42:45 GMT

**Historic Gandhi Portrait Sells for Over $200,000 at London Auction**

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 08:42:45 GMT
Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:34:56 GMT

Rare Spiritual Artwork of Gandhi Fetches Over $200,000 at Auction

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:34:56 GMT
Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:23:10 GMT

Landmark Legal Proceedings Unveil Alleged Corruption Network in UK Courts

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:23:10 GMT
Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:25:23 GMT

**Historic Sale: The Original Birkin Bag Fetches £7 Million at Auction**

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:25:23 GMT
Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:12:02 GMT

**Original Birkin Bag Sets Auction Record at £7.4 Million**

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:12:02 GMT
Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:45:11 GMT

South Korea Facilitates Return of North Korean Fishermen Amid Diplomatic Thaw

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:45:11 GMT
Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:06:18 GMT

South Korea Repatriates Six North Koreans Seeking to Return Home

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:06:18 GMT
Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:19:24 GMT

Families of Kidnapped Indians in Mali Demand Answers Amid Rising Fears

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:19:24 GMT
Sun, 06 Jul 2025 11:40:12 GMT

US Deports Eight Convicted Criminals to South Sudan Amid Legal Controversies

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 11:40:12 GMT
Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:33:27 GMT

Controversial Deportations: US Sends Convicted Migrants to South Sudan Amid Legal Struggles

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:33:27 GMT
Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:05:43 GMT

**U.K. Court Denies Nonprofits' Request to Block Fighter Jet Parts Exports to Israel**

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:05:43 GMT
Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:20:32 GMT

Investigating the Air India Flight 171 Tragedy: New Clues and Challenges

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:20:32 GMT
Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:36:37 GMT

Air India Flight Crash: Cockpit Voice Recorder Recovered in Search for Answers

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:36:37 GMT
Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:02:57 GMT

Exit Festival Exits Serbia Amidst Government Pressure Over Student Protests

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:02:57 GMT
Sat, 07 Jun 2025 10:13:50 GMT

**Hudson's Bay Company Closes Doors After 355 Years of Trading**

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 10:13:50 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.