Context:
Ministry of Culture takes steps to halt the auction of piprahwa relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong
Piprahwa:
- Location: Uttar Pradesh.
- The region is known for Kalanamak rice, a scented and spicy variety grown in the area.
- Proximity to Lumbini – Piprahwa lies 9 miles from Lumbini, the World Heritage Site believed to be the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
- Excavations suggest Piprahwa was the burial site of a portion of Buddha’s ashes, given to his Shakya clan.
- Stupa & Monasteries: The site contains a large stupa, ruins of several monasteries, and a museum showcasing artifacts.
- Ganwaria Mound: Adjacent to Piprahwa, the Ganwaria mound revealed ancient residential complexes and shrines, indicating a flourishing Buddhist settlement.
- Discovery: The site was excavated in 1898 by William Claxton Peppé, a British landowner.
- Relics Found: Bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, gold ornaments, and gemstones.
- Legal Status: Classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, making their sale or removal illegal.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Chanhudaro
(b) Kot Diji
(c) Sohgaura
(d) Desalpur
Answer: (c)