In the new series by Abir Pothi, we delve into the world of art crimes—a hidden and haunting realm where priceless cultural treasures are stolen, smuggled, and dispersed far from their rightful homes. Among these stolen relics is a 12th-century bronze Buddha statue, an extraordinary piece of India’s heritage.
This statue, showing the Buddha in the Bhumisparsha Mudra—the moment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree—was once a prized exhibit of the Nalanda Museum in Bihar, India. In August 1961, it was stolen, disappearing without a trace for nearly six decades, leaving behind an irreplaceable void in India’s cultural legacy. Then, in early 2018, an art enthusiast spotted the statue at an auction in the United Kingdom. The discovery set in motion a chain of events which were driven by the tenacity to reclaim what belonged to India. India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence took the initiative and worked in close co-ordination with the High Commission of India in London and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Historical records, including the original FIR from 1961, were examined in detail to affirm the identity of the statue. The artifact had been passed from hand to hand, through a maze of collectors and dealers. A passionate volunteer group dedicated to recovering lost heritage, the International Council of Museums and India Pride Project, played crucial roles in piecing together the journey of the statue. Their combined efforts and the cooperation of the consignor and dealer culminated in a momentous decision: the statue would return home.
It was repatriated back to India in 2019. In a formal ceremony, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed over the artifact to Minister of State for Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel, as a symbol of triumphant return after 57 long years.
And today, the Buddha from Nalanda stands as a symbol not only of India’s glorious history but also of resilience, justice, and the shared commitment of nations to preserve cultural heritage.
