Return of India's antiquities: Chola plates and Piprahwa relics

1. Question 1Answer D

   On 16 May 2026, which institution restituted the Chola copper plates to India?

   • ABritish Museum
   • BSmithsonian Institution
   • CSotheby's Hong Kong
   • DCorrect answer: Leiden University Library

   Core Trigger: On 16 May 2026 Leiden University Library restituted the Chola copper plates to India at a ceremony in The Hague.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 1

2. Question 2Answer C

   The Chola copper plates record a village gift to a Buddhist vihara at which place?

   • AKanchipuram
   • BThanjavur
   • CCorrect answer: Nagapattinam
   • DMadurai

   The Plates: The charters, 21 large and three small plates in Tamil and Sanskrit, record a village gift to a Nagapattinam Buddhist vihara.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 2

3. Question 3Answer A

   How many antiquities did Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat say India had repatriated?

   • ACorrect answer: 666
   • B240
   • C1,200
   • D3,686

   Current Head: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Culture Minister, said India had repatriated 666 antiquities.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 3

4. Question 4Answer A

   1. The 21-plate set bears Rajendra Chola I's seal. 2. The three-plate set also carries Rajendra Chola I's seal. Which is/are correct?

   • ACorrect answer: Only 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2

   Seals: The 21-plate set bears Rajendra Chola I's seal; the three-plate set carries Kulottunga Chola I's.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 4

5. Question 5Answer B

   Which granite figure did Australia announce returning on 9 July 2026?

   • AGanesha
   • BCorrect answer: Nandi
   • CHanuman
   • DGaruda

   Returns: On 9 July 2026 Australia announced return of a granite Nandi, a bronze trident and a six-headed Skanda.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 5

6. Question 6Answer A

   The Piprahwa relics returned after which auction house postponed its 7 May 2025 sale?

   • ACorrect answer: Sotheby's Hong Kong
   • BChristie's New York
   • CBonhams London
   • DPhillips Geneva

   India Link: Piprahwa relics returned on 30 July 2025, after Sotheby's Hong Kong postponed its 7 May 2025 auction.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 7

7. Question 7Answer D

   Piprahwa lies in which Uttar Pradesh district?

   • AKushinagar
   • BShravasti
   • CSarnath
   • DCorrect answer: Siddharthnagar

   Venue: The plates go to the Archaeological Survey of India; Piprahwa is in Siddharthnagar district, Uttar Pradesh.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 8

8. Question 8Answer C

   In which year were the Chola plates donated to Leiden?

   • A1712
   • B1947
   • CCorrect answer: 1862
   • D1972

   Genesis: The plates reached the Netherlands in 1712 and were donated to Leiden in 1862.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 9

9. Question 9Answer C

   1. The UNESCO 1970 Convention targets illicit trafficking. 2. Articles 7 and 13 provide for restitution. Which is/are correct?

   • AOnly 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CCorrect answer: Both 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2

   Landmark: The UNESCO 1970 Convention targets illicit trafficking; Articles 7 and 13 provide for restitution.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 10

10. Question 10Answer B

    Under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, a declared antiquity must be at least how old?

    • A50 years
    • BCorrect answer: 100 years
    • C75 years
    • D150 years

    Statute: Under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, a declared antiquity must be at least 100 years old.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 319, point 11

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