The Ministry of Culture in India has initiated actions to prevent Sotheby's Hong Kong from auctioning relics believed to have historical significance connected to Buddha's life. The ministry issued legal notices to address concerns regarding the proposed sale, emphasizing Indian law that prohibits any form of removal or commercial disposition of 'AA antiquities.' Efforts were made through diplomatic engagement and through Indian embassy channels in both UK and Hong Kong. Steps also included financial investigations related to auction legality. The focus remains on protecting India's cultural heritage and repatriating the relics back to their original place.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture, Government of India: Indian governmental department responsible for cultural affairs and heritage protection.
Sothebys Hong Kong: The Hong Kong branch of the international auction house Sothebys, involved in potential auction proceedings with the Indian authorities over sacred relics.
Piprahwa Relics: Artefacts excavated from the city of Kapilavastu associated with Lord Buddha, considered historically and spiritually significant.
Indian Museum (Kolkata): The institution where some of the Piprahwa relics were transferred to in 1899, as indicated by their classification under Indian AA antiquities law.
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture Takes Steps to Halt Auction of
Piprahwa Relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong
Sotheby’s responds to the legal notice with the
assurance that full attention is given to this matter.
Posted On: 05 MAY 2025 8:35PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has taken swift and comprehensive measures to prevent the
auction of the sacred Piprahwa Relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, underscoring India’s commitment to
protecting its cultural and religious heritage. These relics, excavated from the Piprahwa Stupa—widely
recognized as the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha—hold immense historical and
spiritual significance.
The Piprahwa Relics, which include bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and
offerings such as gold ornaments and gemstones, were excavated by William Claxton Peppé in 1898. An
inscription in Brahmi script on one of the caskets confirms these as relics of the Buddha, deposited by the
Sakya clan. The majority of these relics were transferred to the Indian Museum, Kolkata, in 1899 and are
classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, prohibiting their removal or sale. While a portion of the bone
relics was gifted to the King of Siam, a selection retained by Peppé’s descendants has now been listed for
auction.
Upon learning of the proposed auction, the Ministry of Culture initiated the following actions:
1. The Ministry collected detailed background information on the auction and issued a legal notice to
Sotheby’s Hong Kong to stop the auction immediately. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) also
requested the Consulate General of Hong Kong to take up the matter with authorities there demanding
the immediate cessation of the auction.
2. During a bilateral meeting on May 2, 2025, Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat raised the
issue with Rt Hon Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, United Kingdom. The
Minister emphasized the cultural and religious significance of the relics and urged immediate action to
halt the auction and facilitate their repatriation.
3. On May 5, 2025, the Secretary of Culture convened a high-level review meeting to outline further steps.
The Ministry of External Affairs has been requested to engage with embassies in the United Kingdom
and Hong Kong through its Europe West and East Asia Divisions to ensure the auction is stopped.
4. The Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) has been asked to coordinate with its counterpart in Hong Kong
to highlight the illegality of the auction and ensure compliance with international laws.
5. Ivy Wong, Ivy Wong, Associate General Counsel Sotheby’s in her reply to the legal notice assured that
our full attention is given to this matter.
The Ministry of Culture remains steadfast in its efforts to protect India’s cultural heritage and ensure the
repatriation of the Piprahwa Relics. We call upon Sotheby’s Hong Kong to immediately withdraw the relics
from auction and cooperate with Indian authorities to return these sacred artifacts to their rightful place.
click here to see the Leagal Notice served by the Government of India:-
@MinOfCultureGoI has issued a legal notice to Sotheby’s Hong Kong & Mr Chris Peppé, heirs of
William Claxton Peppé, demanding the immediate halt of the auction titled "The Piprahwa Gems ofthe Historical Buddha, Mauryan Empire, Ashokan Era, circa 240-200 BCE,"-set for May 7,2025.
pic.twitter.com/Begczzp9SE
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) May 5, 2025
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2127159)