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The Buddha jewels at auction that caused global outcry

The set of ancient gems reportedly includes offerings made during the reinterment of Buddha’s remains over 200 years after his death around 480BC — The set of ancient gems reportedly includes offerings made during the reinterment of Buddha’s remains over 200 years after his death around 480BC (Sotheby's)

Sotheby's cancelled the planned auction of 334 ancient gems, known as the Piprahwa Gems, which are linked to the Buddha, and returned them to India.
The relics, originally discovered in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, were scheduled to be auctioned in Hong Kong for a starting bid of HK$100m (£9.7m).
The Indian government exerted diplomatic and legal pressure, accusing Sotheby's of "participating in continued colonial exploitation" and stating the relics should be treated as sacred.
India acquired the gems through a public-private partnership involving the government and Godrej Industries Group.
The gems will be displayed at the National Museum in Delhi for five years and by Godrej Industries for three months, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it a "joyous day for our cultural heritage".

Sotheby’s returns ancient gems linked to Buddha to India — In full