Scotland museum signs deal to return seven ancient artefacts to India

Seven artefacts, including a stone door jamb stolen from a Hindu temple in Uttar Pradesh, has been transferred back to India by Glasgow's museums as part of Scotland's largest-ever repatriation of objects from a single collection.

Glasgow Life, a charitable organisation which runs the city's museums, had confirmed the handover earlier this year and the arrangement was formalised on Friday at a transfer of ownership ceremony at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the presence of Acting Indian High Commissioner to the UK Sujit Ghosh.

The seven antiquities to now find their way back to India include a ceremonial Indo-Persian talwar or sword, believed to date back to the 14th century, and an 11th century carved stone door jamb taken from a temple in Kanpur.

We are delighted that our partnership with Glasgow Life has resulted in a decision to restitute Indian artefacts from Glasgow museums to India, said Ghosh.

These artefacts are an integral part of our civilisational heritage an