Lok Sabha Question No. 2114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-01
Subject: Recovery of Artifacts from various Countries
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2114 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.01.2018.

## RECOVERY OF ARTIFACTS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES

## 2114.  SHRI  B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of various antiques illegally stolen/exported out of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof including the period, origin and the historical value of the antiques  along  with  the  steps  taken/being  taken  to  bring  back  the  invaluable antiques from various countries including United States of America (USA); (c) whether  some  countries  including  USA  recently  agreed  to  return  some  such antiques; and if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  list  of  antiques  retrieved  from  various

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

- (a) So far nineteen cases of theft of antiquities have been reported from the Centrally Protected  Monuments  of  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  during  last  three  years (Annexure I).
- (b) The  details  of  the  stolen  objects,  their  period/origin  and  historical  value  are attached  as  Annexure  I.    Whenever  any  illegally  exported  objects/antiquities  of Indian origin surfaces in foreign countries, efforts are made through Indian Mission abroad  for  retrieval  of  such  antiquities.    Archaeological  Survey  of  India  has retrieved twenty seven antiquities from foreign countries including USA during the last three year.
- (c) & There are twenty seven antiquities retrieved from foreign country during the last three years. Out of which eighteen antiquities have been returned from USA during
- (d) the year 2016 and 2017.  Details of the antiquities retrieved from foreign countries are attached as Annexure II.
- (d) countries till date?

ANNEXURE I

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY PART TO (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2114 FOR 01.01.2018

Statement  giving  details  of  State/U.T.  wise  theft  of  antiquities  from  Centrally  Protected Monuments/Sites  maintained  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  for  last  three  years  and current year

| Sl. No.   | State     | Name of Monument/Sites/Plac e of origin                                                                    | Period, origin and historical value of the antiquities                                                   | Date of theft         | Action taken/Presen t status                                                    |
|-----------|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|           | YEAR 2014 | YEAR 2014                                                                                                  | YEAR 2014                                                                                                | YEAR 2014             | YEAR 2014                                                                       |
| 1.        | Karnataka | Panchalingeswara Temple, Govindanahalli, K.R. Pete Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka.                      | The stone sculpture of eight armed Mahishamardini ( Durga ). dated 9 th -10 th century A.D. approx.      | 07.03.2014            | F.I.R. is lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |
| 2.        | Karnataka | Shiva temple, Thimmalapur, Hospet taluk, district Bellary, Karnataka                                       | Broken Stone (granite) Shivalinga dated 9 th -10 th century A.D. approx.                                 | 18 th -19 th .06.2014 | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation    |
| 3.        | Gujarat   | Vitthalbhai Haveli at Vso, Dist. Kheda                                                                     | Two wooden carved Brackets 16 th -17 th century A.D. approx.                                             | 23.6.2014             | Recovered                                                                       |
| 4.        | Karnataka | Bharateswara subshrine of Ramalingaeswara temple complex Avani, Mulbangal taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka | One black granite stone Nandi dated 9 th -10 th century A.D. approx.                                     | 18- 19.07.2014        | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation    |
| 5.        | Bihar     | Rajgir, district Nalanda                                                                                   | Sculpture of Jain Shrine Temple Tirthanker (Mahavira) dated 9 th - 10 th century A.D. approx.            | 30- 31.07.2014        | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation    |
| 6.        | Karnataka | Nageswar temple, Mosale, Hassan taluk, Hassan district Karnataka,                                          | Two Schist Stone Sculptures of Mahisasuramardini and Sarasawati dated 10 th - 11 th century A.D. approx. | 13- 14.09.2014        | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation    |

| YEAR 2015   | YEAR 2015          | YEAR 2015                                                                                       | YEAR 2015                                                                            | YEAR 2015       | YEAR 2015                                                                    |
|-------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 7.          | Karnataka          | Bhimesheshwara temple at Neelgunda, Harappanahalli Taluk, Davangere district, Karnataka         | Schist stone Yaksha sculpture dated 11 th - 12 th century A.D. approx.               | 26.04.2015      | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |
| 8.          | Orissa             | Trivikrama (Locally called Bali Vamana) from the premises of Varahanatha temple, Jajpur, Orrisa | Sculpture of Trivikrama (Locally called Bali dated 11 th -12 th century A.D. approx. | 18.05.2015      | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |
| 9.          | Karnataka          | Bhoganandiswara temple at Nand, Chikkaballapur Talkuk Chikkaballapur District, Karanatak        | Black stone kalsha dated 11 th -12 th century A.D. approx.                           | 16.09.2015      | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |
| 10.         | Maharashtra (M.H.) | Sculpture Shed, Aam Khas Gate, Daulatabad Fort, District-Aurangabad                             | 11 antiquities dated 16 th -17 th century A.D. approx.                               | 16.09.2015      | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |
| 11.         | Bihar              | Jain Temple, Vaibhar, Rajgir, Patna.                                                            | Stone Sculpture dated 11 th -12 th century A.D. approx.                              | 22 & 23.11.2015 | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |
| 12.         | Orrisa             | Bhairawa Ganesh and Kaumari form Chandrasekhar temple, Kapilas                                  | Sculpture dated 11 th -12 th century A.D. approx.                                    | 25/26.11.2015   | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |
| YEAR 2016   | YEAR 2016          | YEAR 2016                                                                                       | YEAR 2016                                                                            | YEAR 2016       | YEAR 2016                                                                    |
| 13.         | Maharashtra        | Kasa Fort, district Raigad, Maharashtra                                                         | Iron Canon (small size) dated 11 th -12 th century A.D. approx.                      | 05.12.2015.     | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation |

| 14.       | Rajasthan                 | Ancient Ruins Kalyanpur, Distt. Udaipur                                                                | Three Stone sculpture dated 11 th - 12 th century A.D. approx.                                           | 3 rd & 4 th Feb. 2016.      | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation   |
|-----------|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 15.       | Chhattisgarh              | Bhairavbaba Temple, Dantewada & Ruined Temple, Jiyapara, District South Bastar Dantewada, Chhattisgarh | Two stone sculptures of Bhairava                                                                         | 6th & 7th July 2016         | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation   |
| 16.       | Andhra Pradesh            | Sri Kumaraarama Bhimeswara Swamy temple, Samalkot Mandal of East Godavari District                     | Stone dated 11 th - 12 th century A.D. approx.                                                           | 24 th & 25 th November 2016 | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation   |
| 17.       | Karnataka                 | Ramalingeswara temple complex Avani, Mulbagali taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka                        | One stone Ganesha fixed on the open mandapa of Vigneswara Shrine dated 11 th -12 th century A.D. approx. | 26 th & 27 th November 2016 | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation   |
| 18.       | Andhra Pradesh            | Veerabhadra temple, Motupalle Chinaganjam Mandal, Prakasam dist. Andhra Pradesh                        | Stone Nandi idol                                                                                         | 12th & 13th December 2016.  | Recovered on 18.12.20 16                                                       |
| YEAR 2017 | YEAR 2017                 | YEAR 2017                                                                                              | YEAR 2017                                                                                                | YEAR 2017                   | YEAR 2017                                                                      |
| 19.       | Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh | Sri Anadavalli Ammavaru Temple, Parasurameshwara Swamy Complex, Gudimallam, district Chitoor           | Nandi idol stone sculpture of Nandi dated 11 th -12 th century A.D. approx.                              | 03.11.2017                  | F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation   |

## ANNEXURE II

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY PART TO (c) & (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2114 FOR 01.01.2018

## Statement giving details of retrieved Indian Antiquities from Abroad from 2014 to 2017

|   S.No. | Name                                       | State                         | From      |   Year | Mode of retrieval    | Under the custody                         |
|---------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------|--------|----------------------|-------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Nataraja                                   | Tamil Nadu                    | Australia |   2014 | Voluntarily returned | Under the custody of Idol Wing Tamil Nadu |
|       2 | Ardhanareeswar                             | Tamil Nadu                    | Australia |   2014 | Voluntarily returned | -do-                                      |
|       3 | Parrot Lady                                | Madhya Pradesh                | Canada    |   2015 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|       4 | Durga (Mahishmardini)                      | J&K                           | Germany   |   2015 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|       5 | Uma Parameshwari                           | Tamil Nadu                    | Singapore |   2015 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|       6 | Bronze image of Saint Manikkavachaka       | Tamil Nadu                    | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|       7 | Metal image of Ganesha                     | Tamil Nadu                    | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|       8 | Terracotta Female Figure (Honolulu Museum) | Mauryan period Central India  | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|       9 | Male Deity (Honolulu Museum)               | Madhya Pradesh                | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|      10 | Floral Tile, Harvan                        | Kashmir                       | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|      11 | Sri Devi, Chola Period                     | Tamil Nadu                    | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|      12 | Metal image of Bahubali                    | Andhra Pradesh                | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|      13 | Metal image of Parvati                     | Tamil Nadu                    | U.S.A     |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | CAC Section, Purana Qila, N. Delhi        |
|      14 | Seated Buddha                              | Mathura region, Uttar Pradesh | Australia |   2016 | Voluntarily returned | National Muséum New Delhi                 |

|   15. | Panel of Devotees of Buddha                                                           | Andhra Pradesh   | Australia   |   2016 | Voluntarily returned                         | National Museum New Delhi       | National Museum New Delhi       |
|-------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-------------|--------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|    16 | Stone image Pratyangira                                                               | Tamil Nadu       | Australia   |   2016 | Voluntarily returned                         | National Museum New Delhi       | National Museum New Delhi       |
|    17 | Matel image of Bhoo Devi                                                              | Tamil Nadu       | U.S.A.      |   2016 | Return as a case property PS Cr. No. 65/2008 | Idol Wing CID Police Tamil Nadu | Idol Wing CID Police Tamil Nadu |
|    18 | Chakkarathalwar                                                                       | Tamil Nadu       | U.S.A.      |   2016 | Return as a case property PS Cr. No. 65/2008 | Idol Wing CID Police Tamil Nadu | Idol Wing CID Police Tamil Nadu |
|    19 | Sand Stone Male Figure in Tribhanga Posture                                           | Central India    | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    20 | Sand Stone Bust of a Female                                                           | Central India    | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    21 | Sand Stone broken Figure                                                              | Central India    | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    22 | Stone image of Durga                                                                  | Tamil Nadu       | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    23 | Damaged Sand Stone image of Nataraja in dancing posture.                              | Central India    | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    24 | Mutilated Sand Stone Panel depicting two male Figures ( vidhyadharas ).               | Central India    | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    25 | Stone image of a couple ( mithuna ) figure carved under a niche from Atru, Rajasthan. | Rajasthan        | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    26 | Stone image of a couple ( mithuna ) Figure from Atru, Rajasthan.                      | Rajasthan        | U.S.A.      |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |
|    27 | Stone sculpture of Brahma and Brahamani                                               | Gujarat          | U.K.        |   2017 | Voluntarily returned                         | CAC Section, Qila, N. Delhi     | Purana                          |