Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 30: The Department of Archives Archaeology and Museums of the State Government has retrieved back its lost sculpture of eighteen armed “Durga Mahishasurmardini” from Archaeological Survey of India New Delhi which was stolen from Kashmir over two decades back. After it was stolen from Kashmir the sculpture surfaced in the collection of Linden Museum Stuttgart, Germany and the authorities of ASI New Delhi made hard efforts for its retrieval back to India and on October 5 last year the Prime Minister, Narendra Modhi received the sculpture from German Chancellor Angla Markel during his visit to India and then PM handed it over to the authorities of ASI New Delhi.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government deputed a team of departmental experts along with a crew of J&K Police Department to retrieve back rare sculpture belonging to this soil from Archaeological Survey of India and it is now under the custody of Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives Archaeology and Museums. The Sculpture will be displayed in the new Museum Building SPS Museums Srinagar, which will be soon opened for general public for their education, enjoyment, entertainment, knowledge etc. The Department placed on record appreciation for its recovery to the authorities of the Archaeological Survey of India as well as Director General of J&K Police for all cooperation and help for its safe custody to the Department of Archives Archaeology and Museums J&K Govt.
Director Archives M S Zahid said that recovery and repatriation of the ancient sculpture is a good news for the art lovers of the State and all efforts will be made for its preservation to posterity. He said the sculpture is a testimony to the fact that Kashmir belonged to rich ancient culture and civilization.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel