Sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha return to India after 127 years
On 30 July 2025, the Culture Ministry announced the return of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, discovered in 1898 in Uttar Pradesh, after they were withdrawn from an auction in Hong Kong; PM Modi called it a return after 127 years.
Summary
The Ministry of Culture announced on 30 July 2025 the return to India of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, secured through a partnership between the Government of India and the Godrej Industries Group. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the return of the relics after 127 years. The relics were discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé at Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, and are believed to be associated with the mortal remains of the Buddha; they were enshrined by his followers around the 3rd century BCE. They had been slated for auction in Hong Kong in May 2025 before the Ministry intervened. Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called it one of the most significant repatriations of lost heritage, and the relics are to be placed on public display.
Key facts
- Announced
- 30 July 2025, Ministry of Culture
- Discovered
- 1898, Piprahwa (UP), by William Claxton Peppé
- Enshrined
- Around 3rd century BCE
- Auction stopped
- Hong Kong, May 2025
- Partner
- Godrej Industries Group
- PM
- Return after 127 years
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, whose return to India was announced on 30 July 2025, were discovered at Piprahwa in which State?
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Correct answer: B — Uttar Pradesh
The relics were discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh.
Where were the Piprahwa relics slated to be auctioned in May 2025 before the Culture Ministry intervened?
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Correct answer: D — Hong Kong
The relics were originally slated for auction in Hong Kong in May 2025.
Consider the following statements about the Piprahwa relics: 1. They were discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé. 2. Their repatriation in 2025 was made possible through a partnership between the Government of India and the Godrej Industries Group. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are in the Culture Ministry release.