Lord Buddha's Piprahwa relics return to India after 127 years: What are they?

The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé

The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha have been brought back to India from the UK after 127 long years.

“A joyous day for our cultural heritage! It would make every Indian proud that the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have come home after 127 long years.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.

PM Modi said when these holy relics appeared in an international auction earlier this year, his government worked to ensure that they returned home. "I appreciate all those who have been involved in this effort," he said.

A joyous day for our cultural heritage!

It would make every Indian proud that the sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have come home after 127 long years. These sacred relics highlight India’s close association with Bhagwan Buddha and his noble teachings. It also… pic.twitter.com/RP8puMszbW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2025

Significance of Piprahwa relics

The Piprahwa relics were discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh. They are believed to be associated with the mortal remains of Lord Buddha. Enshrined by his followers around the 3rd century BCE, these relics have long held immense spiritual value for the global Buddhist community and represent one of the most important archaeological discoveries in India’s history.

How are the relics being brought back?

The relics were originally slated for auction in Hong Kong in May 2025. However, the sacred artefacts were successfully secured by the Ministry of Culture through decisive intervention.

That excavation also unearthed a massive stone casket from an ancient stupa believed to have been built by the Shakya clan, the family of Siddhartha Gautama, after the Buddha’s cremation. Inside the casket were sacred bone relics, crystal and soapstone urns, and thousands of precious stones: over 1,800 pearls, rubies, sapphires, topaz, and thin golden sheets, according to News18.

Most of the treasures were sent to the Indian Museum in Kolkata under the Indian Treasure Trove Act of 1878. However, some remained in William Pepe’s private collection with the British government’s permission. These heirlooms remained in the family for over a century until Chris Pepe prepared to auction them in 2024.

On May 5, the Ministry of Culture issued a legal notice, calling the auction a violation of Indian laws and international agreements, including those under the United Nations.

The notice stated that “these relics are an invaluable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. Trading them is illegal and immoral".