It also comprises antiquities, which were retrieved and confiscated with the help of the Ministry of External Affairs and various law-enforcing agencies, including the Police, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Customs officials.

About 2.70 lakh antiquities are in the CAC, including nearly 4,500 confiscated objects.

“About 655 antiquities repatriated from foreign countries in recent years, including metal, stone and terracotta idols, will also be housed in the gallery. Information on these retrieved objects will be made available to the public through official websites after verification, detailed documentation and proper photography. Work on the proposal is currently underway,” said officials.

At present, there are 198 confiscated and retrieved antiquities from the ancient to modern period on display at the gallery.

The display includes stone and metal sculptures, coins, paintings, ivory and copper artefacts, and architectural panels ranging from the proto-historic to the modern period and affiliated to different provenances.