NEWS – Vrindavani Vastra to Return on Loan to Assam

HIGHLIGHTS

• Vrindavani Vastra: A 16th-century silk textile, woven in Assam under the guidance of saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva.
• Features: Depicts scenes from the life of Lord Krishna; considered both spiritually and culturally significant.
• Historical journey: Taken to Tibet during the 17th–18th centuries, later collected by British explorers in the 19th–20th centuries. Eventually, it came under the custody of the British Museum, London.

• The British Museum has, for the first time, agreed in principle to loan the Vrindavani Vastra to Assam for 18 months in 2027.

Conditions for Loan

• Assam must construct a museum meeting international environmental standards for textile preservation.
• A sovereign guarantee from the President of India is required, ensuring safe return of the artefact within the stipulated timeframe.
• Close coordination is needed between Assam Government, Union Government, British Museum, and the Indian High Commission in London.

Institutional Support

• Land allotted in Guwahati for the museum.
• JSW Group to build the museum under CSR, later handing it to the state government.
• If construction costs exceed JSW’s budget, state government may contribute.
• British Museum will provide design guidelines for the museum.