July 31, 2025: The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have been returned to India 127 years after they were taken abroad during the colonial era, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Hailing the repatriation as a triumph of India’s enduring civilisational ethos, the PM underscored the government’s cultural vision of ensuring progress along with the preservation of heritage.
“What a happy day for our cultural history! After 127 long years, the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have returned home, which would make every Indian proud,” PM Modi wrote on X. "These sacred objects emphasize India's close connection to Bhagwan Buddha and his noble teachings. Additionally, it demonstrates our dedication to safeguarding various aspects of our glorious culture,” he added. The revered relics are believed to contain bone fragments of Lord Buddha along with crystal caskets, gold ornaments, and ritual offerings, as they were originally discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh, a site linked to the ancient city of Kapilavastu, where Lord Buddha is believed to have spent his formative years.
Taken from India during British rule, the relics resurfaced earlier this year in a high-profile international auction. The Indian government took swift diplomatic and legal action to halt the sale and bring these back.
We worked to ensure their return when they appeared in an international auction earlier this year. I appreciate all those who have been involved in this effort,” said the PM.
An aggressive campaign to halt the auction and reclaim the relics was launched by the Ministry of Culture, working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs and international legal experts. A legal notice was served to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, demanding an immediate halt to the sale. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also stepped in, requesting the Indian Consulate General in Hong Kong to raise the issue with the local authorities.
During a bilateral meeting on May 2, 2025, Culture Minister Shekhawat pressed the matter with the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon Lisa Nandy. The minister urged swift action to stop the auction and facilitate the return, highlighting the relics' cultural and religious significance. Three days later, on May 5, the Ministry of Culture held a high-level review meeting to chart out the next steps. The MEA activated its Europe West and East Asia divisions to engage with Indian embassies in the UK and Hong Kong and ensure the sacred items were not lost again to foreign hands.
At the Delhi airport, the relics were finally received by Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.