Ancient Nepali relics smuggled to USA repatriated to Nepal

KATHMANDU: Twenty one Nepali relics and carved wooden blocks with archeological importance smuggled to the United States of America in the past have been brought back to the country, the Department of Archeology confirmed at a news conference today.

Of these, three of the Pauva paintings were lost from Itumbahal in Kathmandu in 2037 BS.

An idol of Buddha made up of stone during the ninth century was lost from Machchhindra Bahal premise of Bungmati.

Likewise, a stone idol of Buddha of circa 12th century belonging to Guit Chaitya in Patan was brought back from Art Institute of Chicago.

Similarly, 16 other Nepali relics were sent to the USA from different places of the country on different dates.

Department’s Director General Saubhagya Pradhananga said that the ancient Nepali relics kept in different museums, auction houses and private museums were received with support from the Homeland Security Investigation Department, New York, and the Office of the District Attorney, Manhattan.

The relics and properties were handed over a month ago to the Acting Consul General of Office of Consulate General Nepal in New York, Chakra Kumar Subedi.

The articles were returned to Nepal as per the international laws after the Department confirmed Nepal as the place of origin of those goods. This has led to the return of Nepali idols and other ancient goods.

Different government agencies worked in collaboration to return those goods while Newa: Guthi based in New York extended financial assistance to bring the properties from the USA.

Nepal’s ancient artistic and invaluable treasures had been stolen in the past. The Department stated that the records of stolen cultural heritages from eastern Nepal after the 1950s were not available so far.

Nepal had first received its stolen archeological and artistic treasures in 1986.

So far, 177 archaeologically important goods have been returned to the country with support from national and international institutions from the UK, Austria, the USA, Tibet Autonomous Region of China, India, Germany, Australia and Italy.

As stated at a press meet, 104 such archaeologically important goods were returned to Nepal from the USA alone.