Question : Roadmap to Recover Ancient Idols and Other Artifacts

(a) the details of ancient idols and artifacts stolen from India and taken to various countries abroad as well as returned during the last three years, year-wise and country-wise along with the estimated value of recovered idols;

(b) whether the Government is in a process of consultation with various countries to recover remaining stolen idols and artifacts and if so, the details thereof along with the time by which all the stolen artifacts are likely to be recovered;

(c) whether the Government is working on a plan to coordinate with the State Governments and come up with a roadmap to recover ancient idols, jewellery and other artifacts reportedly missing from several temples in the States as the national treasures could not be allowed to be looted and smuggled abroad;

(d) if so, the details thereof during the last five years and current year as on date and steps being taken to locate the temples from where idols, jewels and ancient artifacts were missing and take appropriate action to retrieve them and also for preserving the heritage temples;

(e) whether some of the temples were found ''missing'' and some were in very bad condition and if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor along with the corrective steps being taken in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM

(PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) The details of stolen ancient idols and artefacts which were returned during the last three years year-wise and country-wise is placed in Annexure I & II respectively.
All antiquities are priceless, their valuation is not done.

(b) Yes Sir, ASI is in touch with various countries like USA, Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, Canada, etc. for the retrieval of the antiquities. No time line has been fixed for the same, but this will be done as soon as possible, after following due process.
Details are at Annexure III.

(c) & (d) Whenever ASI receives any theft case from Centrally Protected Monuments, State Protected Monuments, or antiquities that were in private ownership; ASI issues a "Look Out Notice" to all concerned enforcing agencies like CBI, DRI, police, and Customs.
For retrieval of antiquities from abroad, ASI is in communication with various foreign countries. During the last five years 35 antiquities have been retrieved from the USA, Australia and UK.

(e) A list of ‘missing’ monuments has been attached at Annexure IV. However, the conservation work of protected monuments of ASI, including temples, is attended regularly as per availability of resources due to which they are in a good state of preservation.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (a) of LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 FOR 08.03.2021
ANNEXURE - I

• Statement giving details of theft of antiquities from Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites/Museums maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India in the year 2017.

1. Andhra Pradesh Theft of a Nandi idol from Sri Anadavalli Ammavaru Temple, Parasurameshwara Swamy Complex, Gudimallam, Chitoor district Stone 5-10-2017 F.I.R
Lodged Not recovered

• No theft is reported from Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites/Museums maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India in the year 2018 and 2019.

• Statement giving details of theft of antiquities from Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites/Museums maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India in the year 2020

1. Karnataka Theft of Kalasa fixed to the shikara of Sadashiva Temple, Nuggehalli, Taluk Chennarayapatna, District Hassan, Karnataka Copper 25-02-2020 F.I.R Lodged Not recovered

• Statement giving details of theft of antiquities from Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites/Museums maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India in the year 2021.

1. Uttarakhand Theft of Shiva Linga from Bhairv Temple, Mrityunjay Temple Complex, Dwarahat, Distrit Almora stone 10.02.2021 F.I.R Lodged Police has caught the thief and the stone Shiva linga has been Recovered.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (a) of LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 FOR 08.03.2021
ANNEXURE - II

THE DETAILS OF ANCIENT IDOLS AND ARTEFACTS STOLEN FROM INDIA TO VARIOUS COUNTRIES ABROAD AS WELL AS RETURNED DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS (2018-2021)

Sl. No. Description of object Provenance Country from which retrieved Date/year of Retrieval

1 Durga Mahishasurmardini Uttarakhand USA MET Museum 2018
2 Bodhisattva Head Andhra Pradesh USA MET Museum 2018
3 Image of Buddha Bihar UK 2019
4 Idol of Bronze Nataraja Tamil Nadu Australia 2019
5 Nagaraja (The serpent King) Stone sculpture Central India exact state not known. Australia 2020
6 Dwarpala, stone sculpture Tamil Nadu Australia 2020
7 Dwarpala, stone sculpture Tamil Nadu Australia 2020
8 Dancing Shiva Rajasthan UK 2020
9 Limestone pillar Andhra Pradesh UK 2020
10 Metal idol of Rama Tamil Nadu UK 2020
11 Metal idol of Laxamana Tamil Nadu UK 2020
12 Metal idol of Sita Tamil Nadu UK 2020
13 Navaneetha Krishna South India UK 2021



STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (b) of LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 FOR 08.03.2021
ANNEXURE - III

NUMBER OF CASES: RETRIEVAL OF ARTIFACTS UNDER PROCESS

Sl. No. Country Number of antiquities/ artifacts
1. Canada 1
2. Switzerland 1
3. Australia 19
4. Belgium 1
5. Singapore 17
6. France 1
7. Germany 1
8. USA 71
9. UK 1

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (e) of LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 FOR 08.03.2021
ANNEXURE – IV

LIST OF MONUMENTS/ SITES WHICH ARE UNTRACEABLE

Assam
1. Guns of Emperor Sher Shah, Sadia, Tinsukia

Arunachal Pradesh
2. The Ruins of Copper Temple, Paya, Lohit
Haryana
3. Kos Minar, Mujesar, Faridabad
4. Kos Minar, Shahabad, Kurukshetra

Uttarakhand
5. Kutumbari Temple, Dwarahat, Almora

Delhi
6. Bara Khamba Cemetery, Delhi
7. Inchla Wali Gumti, Mubarakpur Kotla

Madhya Pradesh
8. Rock Inscription, Satna

Maharashtra
9. Old European Tomb, Pune
10. One Buruj, Agarkot

Rajasthan
11. Inscription in Fort, Nagar, Tonk
12. 12th Century Temple, Baran

Uttar Pradesh
13. Ruins of three small linga temple circle 1000 AD, Ahugi Mirzapur
14. Three sites with megaliths on the western and north eastern toes of the hill, Chandauli
15. Tablet of Treasury Building, Varanasi
16. Telia Nala Buddhist ruins, Varanasi
17. A Banyan grove containing traces of anicient buiding, Amavey, Ballia
18. Closed Cemetery, Katra Naka, Banda
19. Gunner Burkill’s Tomb, Mehroni, Lalitpur
20. Three Tomb, Lucknow- Faizabad Road, Lucknow
21. Cemeteries at miles 6 and 7, Jahraila Road, Lucknow
22. Cemetery at Gaughat, Lucknow
23. Large ruined site called Sandi-Khera, Pali, Shahabad, Hardoi

West Bengal
24. Ruins of Fort, Bamanpur, Nadia

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