Stories
India's History Trapped Behind Foreign Paywalls: A Call for Access and Repatriation
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Firstpost•27-09-2026, 11:02
India's History Trapped Behind Foreign Paywalls: A Call for Access and Repatriation
- •The Bayeux Tapestry's popularity in the UK highlights global interest in historical artifacts, contrasting with the challenges Indian researchers face accessing their own heritage.
- •Indian historical artifacts, including items from Mughal India and the Akbarnama, are housed in Western museums, often requiring steep fees for Indian researchers to access.
- •The author's personal experience of being unable to afford a Mughal miniature for her book due to high fees underscores the financial barriers to accessing India's looted heritage.
- •The widespread looting of Indian antiquities by colonial rulers and smugglers continues to hobble Indian history writers and researchers.
- •The debate over repatriating looted artifacts, like the Kohinoor diamond and the Elgin Marbles, extends to Indian relics, with calls for better access and a waiver of paywalls for Indian researchers.
Key Questions Answered
The Bayeux Tapestry is a 230-foot (70-metre) primary source embroidery depicting the 1066 Battle of Hastings between William the Conqueror and King Harold. On loan from France, it is on display at the British Museum until July 2027 after arriving in a high-security operation.
The 350-year-old Vrindavani Vastra, woven in Assam with scenes from Lord Krishna's life, is scheduled to travel to India on loan in 2027. It will be exhibited at the State Museum in Guwahati for six months due to its extreme fragility.
Famous fragments of the Amravati Stupa are scattered across the British Museum in London and the Egmore Museum in Chennai, alongside smaller collections held by other museums.
