The sacred Piprahwa gems, associated with the bodily relics of the Buddha, went on public display in New Delhi on Saturday, marking their first full exhibition in India since they were excavated nearly 130 years ago during British colonial rule.
Named after Piprahwa in what is now the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the collection comprises more than 300 carved precious and semi-precious stones believed to be more than 2,000 years old. The gems were discovered in 1898 by British colonial engineer William Claxton Peppe during excavations of a stupa near the present-day border between India and Nepal, alongside relics identified as the remains of the historical Buddha.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition in New Delhi, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi emphasized the cultural and religious significance of the artifacts. “India is not only the custodian of Lord Buddha’s sacred relics but also the living carrier of his tradition,” Modi said. “These sacred relics of Lord Buddha are India’s heritage. After a century-long wait, they have returned to the country,” he added. (Tribune India, Arab News)
Speaking further about the importance of Buddhist heritage as a tool for diplomacy and his practice of bringing Bodhi tree saplings on state visits, Modi said: “One can imagine the profound message for humanity when a Bodhi tree stands in the botanical garden of Hiroshima, a city devastated by the atomic bomb.” (Tribune India)
The display follows months of international attention and controversy. In May 2025, a portion of the Piprahwa gems—retained by Peppe’s descendants as a family heirloom—was consigned for auction by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, with bidding reportedly set to begin at US$1.3 million. The planned sale prompted objections from Buddhist leaders, scholars, and devotees worldwide, who argued that the relics were sacred objects that should not be treated as commodities.
In response, the Indian government intervened, threatening legal action and formally demanding the return of the gems. The jewels were subsequently repatriated to India in July through a public-private partnership involving the Indian government and Godrej Industries Group, which reportedly acquired the pieces to facilitate their return.
The exhibition in New Delhi marks the first time the entire known collection has been brought together and displayed to the Indian public since the late 19th century. According to officials, some of the gems had remained in India following the original excavation, while others traveled abroad with Peppe and his family.
“After the excavation, a portion had been kept by the excavator William Claxton Peppe and it became his family heirloom. And, of course, it traveled out of India, and a portion remained at the Indian Museum,” said joint secretary at the Indian Ministry of Culture Lily Pandey. Pandey added that a series of “very fortunate events” had led to the reunification and exhibition of the gems. (Arab News)
The Piprahwa relics occupy a central place in the archaeological study of early Buddhism. In an official statement, the Indian government described them as “among the earliest and most historically significant relic deposits directly connected” to the Buddha. (Arab News) The original discovery at Piprahwa has long been debated by scholars, but many agree that the site offers rare material evidence for the veneration of the Buddha’s remains in the centuries following his death.
India is home to an estimated 8–10 million Buddhists today, a relatively small minority in a country where Buddhism originated more than 2,500 years ago. Nevertheless, sites associated with the Buddha’s life—including Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar—continue to draw pilgrims from around the world. The return of the Piprahwa gems has been widely welcomed as a symbolic restoration of a key part of this Buddhist heritage.
For scholars and educators, the exhibition also offers a powerful point of connection between history and living religious tradition. Associate professor at the Indian Institute of Heritage, Savita Kumari, said the display allowed visitors to encounter the Buddha in a tangible way. “[The] Buddha is actually present in these relics,” she told Arab News. “It’s the living presence of [the] Buddha himself, so it is very important emotionally and spiritually for the people of the country to have it with us.” (Arab News)
See more
India Adopts Soft Power to Counter China in Global Buddhism (Outlook India)
Sacred relics of Buddha not merely artefacts, but part of India’s revered heritage: PM Modi (The Tribune)
India displays ancient Buddhist jewels taken during British colonial rule (Arab News)
India unveils Buddha gems after century abroad (SW Iowa News)
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India Recovers Ancient Buddhist Relics Removed During Colonial Era
UPDATE: Sotheby’s Postpones Auction of Buddha-Linked Relics Following Indian Government Intervention
Buddha-Linked Relics Head to Auction, Sparking Ethical and Cultural Debate as India Demands Halt to Sale
