Chennai: The Union government has recovered 615 antiquities that were smuggled out of India and ended up in several foreign countries.
According to the report, international trafficking networks used intermediaries to steal ancient artworks and rare antiquities from India and sell them abroad for large sums. A significant portion of the items smuggled between 1980 and 2000 is said to be from Tamil Nadu.
Many of these objects, valued for their historical, artistic and cultural importance, were displayed in prominent galleries and museums overseas. Heritage enthusiasts and state governments had been urging authorities to bring them back.
The Centre has been pursuing the recoveries through diplomatic efforts, including Chola-era bronze and stone sculptures and other ancient memorial artefacts linked to Tamil Nadu, along with items from other parts of the country. The recovered antiquities were traced to Australia, the UK, Italy, Thailand and the United States.
Year-wise, the recoveries include 159 items in 2021, 30 in 2022, 115 in 2023, 298 in 2024 and 13 so far in 2026, taking the total to 615.
