Culture

Reclaiming the Gods: US Returns 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million to India

In one of the largest single repatriations of cultural property in recent history, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has officially returned 657 smuggled antiquities to India. Valued at nearly $14 million, the vast haul of looted sculptures, bronze idols, and temple carvings was recovered from highly organized international trafficking rings. This repatriation marks a decisive moment in India's global campaign to reclaim its stolen heritage, yet it also exposes the staggering scale of the black market still targeting vulnerable temples.