U.S. hands over 105 antiquities to India Following Agreement

Current Context: The United States handed over 105 trafficked antiquities to India during a repatriation ceremony at the Indian Consulate in New York.

• The restitution of these artefacts is a result of an agreement made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. last month.
• The antiquities represent various regions of India, with origins spanning from the 2nd-3rd century CE to the 18th-19th century CE. They are made of terracotta, stone, metal, and wood, and around 50 of them have religious significance.
• The repatriation of these artefacts is a significant gesture of cultural repatriation and reflects the shared commitment of both countries to preserve their cultural heritage and foster an emotional bond.
• During the visit, India and the U.S. also reached an understanding to work on a Cultural Property Agreement aimed at preventing the illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts in the future.
• The Indian government has been actively working to retrieve stolen Indian antiquities, and this recent repatriation of 105 artefacts adds to the success of their efforts.

Question:

Q.1 How many trafficked antiquities did the U.S. hand over to India?
a. 50
b. 278
c. 157
d. 105