Australia returns 29 antiquities to India

  • March 22, 2022
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Australia returns 29 antiquities to India

Subject: History

Section: Art and culture

Context:

  • Earlier this year, it was reported that the government has been instrumental in bringing back some 200 stolen antiquities to India from across the world.
  • Since 2014, 228 cultural heritage objects have been retrieved from different countries while the majority of them (178) have come from the US.
  • Now, Australia has handed over as many as 29 antiquities to India.
  • Next major recoveries expected to reach Delhi are a quintessential idol of Buddha Avalokiteshwara Padamapani from Italy, the 10th century stone idol of Goat-headed Yogini from United Kingdom, and 500-year-old Hanuman idol, which was stolen from a Tamil Nadu temple, from the US.

Importance: This is seen as a boost to India’s bid to get back the country’s heritage from across the world.

About the antiquities returned: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has received 29 antiquities including idols and paintings dating back to the 9th-10th century from Australia. The cache of articles received from Australia comprises sculptures and paintings made of sandstone, marble, bronze, brass and paper including stone sculpture.

Prominent among them are-

  1. Arch of a Jain Shrine: It is a beautifully embellished frieze in marble. Two Jaina Tirthankara are seen standing on either sides of the panel. Possibly, the Jaina Tirthankar seated may be identified as Ajitanath, the second Tirthankara.
  2. Shiva Bhairava: A fierce manifestation of Shiva, associated with annihilation. It is made of sandstone. In Trika system Bhairava represents Supreme Reality, synonymous to Para Brahman. In Hinduism, Bhairava is also called Dandapani.
  3. Sambandar: It is a bronze statue of seventh-century child saint, Sambandar who devoted his life to composing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.
  4. Chandikesvara: It is a statue of 12th century Saint Chandikesvara which shows a humble devotion to the servitude of Shiva.
  5. There are some paintings of Shiva-Parvati, Yaksha Bhairava, Kali Yantra, Varaha rescuing the Earth Goddess etc.

Additional information:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture is the premier organization for archaeological researches and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance the entire country is divided into 24 circles.

Role of the ASI:

  • Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance is the prime concern of the ASI.
  • It regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
  • It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
Australia returns 29 antiquities to India History