In a significant development hailed as a major cultural victory, British auction house Sotheby’s has returned a prized collection of sacred jewels — believed to be associated with the relics of Lord Buddha — to India, following intense diplomatic pressure, global ethical debate, and intervention by Buddhist leaders worldwide.
Known as the Piprahwa Gems, the ancient treasure comprises nearly 1,800 pearls, rubies, sapphires, and gold ornaments discovered in 1898 at a stupa in Piprahwa, near the Buddha’s birthplace in present-day Uttar Pradesh. The relics, including bone fragments identified as belonging to the Buddha himself, were considered among the most remarkable archaeological finds of modern times. For over a century, many of the jewels remained hidden from public view in a British private collection, passed down through the Peppé family, descendants of British estate manager William Claxton Peppé who led the original excavation.
The sacred items had been slated for auction in Hong Kong in May, with a set of 300 jewels publicly displayed at Sotheby’s earlier this year. However, the proposed sale triggered widespread criticism from scholars, monks, and cultural leaders, who questioned the ethics of treating sacred relics tied to human remains as marketable commodities. Indian authorities swiftly intervened, with the government threatening legal action and urging the auction house to reconsider. The backlash eventually led to the postponement of the auction on May 7.
In a statement this week, Sotheby’s confirmed that the sale was permanently called off, and the jewels have now been acquired by Mumbai-based conglomerate Godrej Industries Group. The firm facilitated the return in collaboration with the Indian government and the original custodians. The relics will now be housed in India and displayed for public viewing.
Sotheby’s described the outcome as the result of two months of “good-faith negotiations” and said it was “delighted” to help ensure the relics’ return to their country of origin. It also expressed gratitude to the Peppé family for preserving the jewels for more than a century and cooperating in the historic handover.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the return on Wednesday via social media, calling it a “proud and joyous moment” and hailing the event as a triumph for India’s cultural legacy. “The sacred relics are finally coming home after 127 years,” he said.
Godrej Industries Group, which operates across diverse sectors including consumer goods, real estate, and agriculture, played a pivotal role in the acquisition. “The Piprahwa gems are not just artefacts – they are timeless symbols of peace, compassion, and shared heritage,” said Pirojsha Godrej, Executive Vice Chairperson of the group, in an official statement.
The controversy over the sale had ignited a deeper discussion about ownership, heritage, and ethical responsibility in handling sacred cultural items. Critics, including Indian art historian Naman Ahuja, had argued that the sale undermined the spiritual significance of the relics. “Are the relics of the Buddha a commodity to be sold like a piece of art?” he had asked. Meanwhile, members of the Peppé family defended their decision, citing the lack of viable donation avenues and asserting that most Buddhists they consulted did not view the jewels as corporeal relics.
The return of the gems is being viewed as not only a diplomatic win but also a symbolic gesture of cultural reclamation. The relics, once buried alongside the Buddha’s remains, will now rest in their homeland — preserved not in private hands, but as part of India’s living heritage.
