An Australian art gallery has agreed to give a 2,000-year-old Buddha sculpture back to India. Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) officials said, the Sitting Buddha sculpture, whose roots could be traced to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, is currently with a national art gallery in Canberra, Australia.
ASI sources said, the Australian art gallery intimated the Union Culture Ministry that they intend to return it. The sculpture made of sandstone is an image, which is very unique to the Mathura region.
With the art gallery giving its consent, the ASI has requested the Ministry of Culture to send an official team to examine the antique idol dating to the first century.
Earlier, Germany has returned an ancient Durga idol during the visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel to India.