Historic Piprahwa Gems Return to India After 127 Years

A treasured collection of jewels, tied to the corporeal relics of the Buddha, has made its way back to India after 127 years. This historic return occurs after an attempted auction earlier this year led to legal pressures from the Indian government, successfully reclaiming the collection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi heralded the return as pivotal for India's cultural heritage. Initially set to be auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong, the sale was halted due to threats of legal action from India, prompting the government to demand the jewels' repatriation.

In response, Sotheby's identified a buyer committed to returning the gems. The gems, discovered in 1898 in Piprahwa, northern India, by English estate manager William Claxton Peppe, will now be displayed publicly in India.

(With inputs from agencies.)