State Museum Displays Rare Buddhist Sculpture Again

Hyderabad: After a gap of three years, visitors to the State Museum can once again see a rare 1,800-year-old Buddhist limestone sculpture, with the display timed with the International Museum Day celebrations on Monday.

The State Museum had sent the sculpture to the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York, USA, in 2023. It was displayed at the international exhibition titled ‘Tree and Serpent’. It was recently returned to the State Museum.

The sculpture is known for its detailed carvings depicting three phases from the life cycle of Lord Buddha. The lower one portrays the scene of Mahabhinishkramana, which is the great departure of Siddhartha, while the middle portion of the panel is carved with the scene depicting the Siddhartha in the palace.

The depiction of carrying the tuft of Siddhartha to heaven is portrayed in the top portion of the panel. The sculpture features human figures, animals and decorative motifs, reflecting the influence of the Amaravati school of Buddhist art.

Discovered during excavations at Phanigiri in Suryapet district in 2001, the sculpture dates back to first and second century CE. Excavation expert Bhanu Murthy excavation said the sculpture, which was not ordinary, caught the attention of smugglers, who stole it when kept for display at the site.

“It was transported through Suryapet to Dachepalli, and hidden in a sewage pipeline inside a house. As the news of the theft spread, the Central government also took serious note of the incident. Following this in 2004, the then state government initiated an investigation and arrested the accused,” Murthy added.