Allahabad Museum to Showcase 2,000-Year-Old Exhibit in Mumbai for International Expo

A 2,000-year-old stone sculpture depicting the Basanter Jatak tale, excavated from the Kaushambi Buddhist site, has been chosen for display at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS). The piece will be featured in a three-month international exhibition on ancient excavations starting next month.
The sculpture will be showcased alongside heritage artefacts from Greece, Egypt, Rome, Assyria, British Museum, and Getty Museum. Rajesh Mishra, the deputy curator of Allahabad Museum, confirmed the ancient origins of the stone structure and its connection to the story of Besantar, a generous prince linked to Buddha’s previous birth.
Officials from the Mumbai Museum visited the Allahabad Museum in April to inspect the sculpture. Transport arrangements and formalities have been completed, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two museums, authorized by the Uttar Pradesh governor.
The Sculpture Gallery at Allahabad Museum features 58 panels from the Bharhut Stupa, dating back to the 2nd century BCE. These panels depict scenes from Jataka Tales, adorned with messages in Pali and Brahmi scripts, providing insight into Buddha’s past lives.
Through the ancient stone sculpture, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the narratives surrounding Buddha’s previous incarnations and the rich cultural heritage on display at the exhibition in Mumbai.