Piprahwa Relics: Key Discoveries and Their Historical Importance
- The Union Ministry of Culture is organising the “Lotus Light: Relics of the Awakened One” cultural exposition showcasing the Piprahwa Relics in New Delhi.
About Piprahwa Relics
- The Piprahwa Relics were discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa Stupa (Uttar Pradesh) by British engineer William C. Peppe; the site is widely identified with ancient Kapilavastu, Buddha’s homeland. It is written in early Brahmi script.
- The relics include bone fragments, crystal and steatite caskets, gold ornaments and gemstones; a Brahmi inscription attributes them to Buddha’s Sakya clan, dating them to the 3rd century BCE.
- Under the Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878, the British Crown claimed the relics; Buddha’s bone relics were gifted to King Rama V of Siam, while most gems went to the Indian Museum, Kolkata.
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavations (1971-77) uncovered an additional 22 bone relics in steatite caskets, now preserved at the National Museum, New Delhi.
- In 2025, relics held by the Peppé family surfaced at a Hong Kong auction and were repatriated to India.
Connection to “Drona Stupa”
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According to the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, after Buddha’s cremation at Kushinagar, a dispute arose over his relics.
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A Brahmin named Drona divided the relics into eight shares for eight ruling clans (including the Sakyas of Kapilavastu, Licchavis of Vaishali, Mallas of Kushinagar, etc.).
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The Piprahwa Stupa is believed to be the original stupa built by the Sakyas over their one-eighth share of the relics.
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