New Delhi . An important and historic decision concerning India’s cultural heritage has been made in the United States. The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC, has acknowledged that three ancient bronze sculptures in its collection were illegally stolen decades ago from temples in southern India. The museum has now decided to return these sculptures to the Indian government. This decision was made based on years of investigation and strong historical evidence. The

identity and provenance of these sculptures were confirmed through the photo archives of the French Institute of Pondicherry. Researchers found rare photographs in the institute’s possession, taken between 1956 and 1969 in various temples in Tamil Nadu. These photographs showed the same sculptures in their original locations, making it clear that they had been illegally removed.

The three statues being returned are outstanding examples of South Indian bronze craftsmanship. The first, a Chola-era Shiva Nataraja statue, is believed to date from around 990 AD. It was stolen from the Sri Bhava Aushadhiswara Temple in Tiruthuraipoondi, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. The second, a Somaskanda statue, dating from the 12th-century Chola period, disappeared from the Visvanatha Temple in the Alatur area of ​​Mannargudi. The third, a statue of Saint Sundarar and Paravai, dates from the 16th-century Vijayanagara period and was stolen from the Shiva Temple at Veerasolapuram in Kallakurichi.

The museum’s internal investigation also revealed that the Shiva Nataraja statue was purchased from a New York gallery in 2002. That gallery submitted fraudulent documents at the time of the sale. The other two statues were gifted to the museum in 1987. Their provenance was not thoroughly investigated at that time.

A special agreement has also been reached between the Government of India and the Smithsonian Museum. Under this agreement, after the Shiva Nataraja statue is formally handed over to India, the Indian government will return it to the museum on a long-term loan. This will allow the museum to display the statue in its exhibition, “The Art of Knowing.” Visitors will now be told the true story of its theft and return to India.

Museum Director Chase Robinson said this decision reflects our ethical responsibility and transparency toward cultural heritage. He expressed gratitude to the Archaeological Survey of India and the Government of India for their cooperation. This move is being seen as a strong message not only for India but also for the protection of cultural heritage globally.