Oxford University to return stolen 500-year-old bronze statue of Hindu saint Tirumankai Alvar to India
By Aishwarya Nair | First Published Jun 13, 2024, 12:43 PM ISTOxford University has decided to return a 500-year-old sculpture of Hindu saint Tirumankai Alvar to India. The bronze statue, nearly 60cm tall, was displayed at the Ashmolean Museum.
Oxford University has decided to return a 500-year-old sculpture of a Hindu saint to India. The bronze statue, standing nearly 60cm tall and depicting Tirumankai Alvar, had been exhibited at the university's Ashmolean Museum. The Indian High Commission claimed the 16th-century sculpture, believed to be looted from a temple in south India.
🚨 Breaking News: Oxford University is set to return a 500-year-old bronze sculpture of a Hindu poet and saint to its rightful home in India! 🏛️🕌
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A statement for the Ashmolean stated, “On 11 March 2024 the council of the University of Oxford supported a claim from the Indian high commission for the return of a 16th-century bronze sculpture of saint Tirumankai Alvar from the Ashmolean Museum. This decision will now be submitted to the Charity Commission for approval.”
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Thirumangai Alvar was the final among the 12 Alvar saints of South India, renowned for their deep devotion to Lord Vishnu within the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism.
In a different historical context, Queen Consort Camilla opted to wear Queen Mary's crown during King Charles's coronation last May, excluding the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond.
The renowned gem, obtained by the East India Company in Punjab, northern India, after the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1849, has since been a prominent component of the British crown jewels housed in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. India has consistently asserted its claim to the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which has been utilized in ceremonies like the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
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