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Andhra asks UK museum to return artefacts

Hyderabad - The sculptures were excavated in the 18th century from the areas around Amaravathi, the ancient Buddhist city and transported to London.

The Andhra Pradesh government will make efforts to seek the return of several precious artefacts and sculptures related to the history of Amaravathi which are presently on display at the British Museum in London.
The sculptures were excavated in the 18th century from the areas around Amaravathi, the ancient Buddhist city and transported to London. About 30 to 40 artefacts are now on display at the British Museum. Amaravati is now being developed as the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh.
"Several of these priceless artefacts date back to second century BC. The sculptures are a bunch of reliefs with complex accounts of the previous lives of the Buddha. They are classified into four periods ranging from the second century BC to the second century AD. We hope to bring them back," the State Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao said.
The official had recently visited the Amaravati gallery in the British Museum. The government will soon write to the Centre and the British Museum to arrange for return of the invaluable sculptures.