Treasure Trove Act
Also called: Indian Treasure Trove Act · Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings"
Meaning
The Indian Treasure Trove Act was a colonial law. It allowed the government to acquire valuable or historically important objects found buried in the ground. Finders had to report such finds instead of keeping or selling them. It was passed in 1878, though NCERT's timeline gives 1888. It was an early legal step towards protecting India's antiquities.
Example
Under this law, a hoard of old coins or sculptures dug up by a farmer could be claimed by the government. This helped bring such finds into museums instead of private collections.
Related concepts
- Elliot marbles
- Indian Museum, Calcutta
- Preservation of Sanchi
- Shahjehan Begum
- Sultan Jehan Begum
- H.H. Cole
- In situ preservation
- Rajendra Lala Mitra
- European views of Indian art
- Arjuna's Penance