Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:05am on 01 Aug 2025,Friday India Global
The Piprahwa gems, dating back to 240–200 BCE, were unearthed in 1898 by British colonial officer William Peppé at Piprahwa, near the India-Nepal border. Found alongside bone fragments in a large stone casket inscribed as relics of the Buddha, the jewels were considered part of the sacred offerings made by disciples. After India’s independence, the Peppé family retained possession. In 2025, plans to auction them abroad sparked national outcry. With diplomatic effort and support from businessman Pirojsha Godrej, India repatriated the relics, reclaiming an important symbol of its Buddhist heritage and ancient craftsmanship. The relics will now be preserved in India. (PC: NDTV)
