India Recovered 24 Antiquities in Three Years

New Delhi.- A metal statue of Sridevi from the Chola period and a terracotta female figure dating back to the Mauryan are among the 24 antiques recovered by India since 2014, today revealed the National Archaeological Survey.

Of the total, 16 were returned from the United States, five from Australia and one each from Canada, Germany and Singapore, said the institute in a statement.

The department explained that the pieces were voluntarily returned, although it did not give details on how they were taken away.

The antiquities include a stone image of Pratyangira goddess, stolen from a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu state, and a seated Buddha statue dating back to the 2nd century CE, stolen from Uttar Pradesh.

According to several experts, the country size, lack of supervision and countless temples and archaeological sites, many of them unguarded due to difficult access, allow thieves to loot with impunity works of great artistic and historical value from India.