A cache of ancient gemstones believed to have once rested above the cremated remains of the Buddha has been returned to India!
The move follows international controversy over a planned Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong. The 334-piece Piprahwa collection, originally excavated in 1898 by British colonial landowner William Claxton Peppé from a stupa in northern India, had been expected to sell for nearly $13 million before India’s government intervened.
1800+ Gemstones Discovered
Peppé had unearthed more than 1,800 gemstones in total, most of which were transferred to what is now the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Under the Indian Treasure Trove Act of 1878, the British crown claimed legal ownership of the find, though Peppé was permitted to retain approximately a fifth—roughly the amount now being returned to India.
Described by archaeologists as “one of the most astonishing finds of the modern era,” according to the BBC, the jewels—pearls, rubies, amethysts, garnets, corals, and gold-leaf stars—had remained in private British hands for more than a century. They were displayed publicly at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong earlier this year, sparking global concern and protests from Buddhist leaders, scholars, and Indian officials.
India had condemned the planned sale as “continued colonial exploitation,” prompting the artifacts’ return.
Many Buddhists believe the jewels are imbued with the presence of the Buddha himself and should be treated as corporeal remains rather than commercial objects.
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
A Private Sale
The auction was officially called off on May 7, with Sotheby’s citing the need for further discussion.
A week later, NBC News reported that the auction house had entered negotiations with the Indian government “to find a mutually agreeable resolution.” Those talks concluded with the announcement that the collection had been sold privately to Mumbai-based Godrej Industries Group. “Due to the confidential nature of private sales, the final sale price will not be disclosed,” Sotheby’s told NBC News.
Sotheby’s said it was “grateful to the Peppé family for having safeguarded the gems and for having worked with us – and with the Government of India – in good faith to achieve this historic outcome.” It added, “This completes our active search over the past two months to identify the best possible custodian for the Gems.” According to NBC News, the company said the collection would be “put on public display for years to come.” The Indian Ministry of Culture confirmed that the artifacts would be formally unveiled during a special ceremony before entering public exhibition.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the relics’ return, calling it “a joyous day for our cultural heritage” and later adding, “It would make every Indian proud that the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have come home after 127 long years. These sacred relics highlight India’s close association with Bhagwan Buddha and his noble teachings. It also illustrates our commitment to preserving and protecting different aspects of our glorious culture.”
Godrej Industries Group confirmed the purchase and emphasized its symbolic importance. In a government statement quoted by the BBC, Executive Vice Chairperson Pirojsha Godrej said, “We are deeply honoured to contribute to this historic moment. The Piprahwa gems are not just artefacts—they are timeless symbols of peace, compassion, and the shared heritage of humanity.”
Not Without Controversy
The sale did, however, spark an ethical and legal debate. Many questioned the legitimacy of the sale and whether such sacred objects should be sold at all. “Are the relics of the Buddha a commodity that can be treated like a work of art to be sold on the market?” asked Delhi-based art historian Naman Ahuja in an interview with the BBC. “Since the seller is termed the ‘custodian’, I would like to ask – custodian on whose behalf?”
Chris Peppé, great-grandson of the original excavator and the consignor, defended the family’s decision. “All options [to donate the relics] presented problems and an auction seemed the fairest and most transparent way to transfer these relics to Buddhists,” he told the BBC. In a February essay written for Sotheby’s and cited by NBC News, Peppé added, “I hope they will go to someone who really values them.” Following the repatriation, Peppé said his family was pleased that “the true significance of the Piprahwa discovery has finally received the public recognition it always deserved and that the gems will be available for the public to see.”
