Assam to ink deal with British Museum to bring back Vrindavani Vastra

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma left for London on Saturday (November 15, 2025) to initiate the process of bringing back the revered Vrindavani Vastra from the British Museum.

He is expected to sign an agreement with the museum authorities on Sunday for the “homecoming” of the motif-rich silk textile, woven under the guidance of 15th-16th century neo-Vaishnav saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva.

Pieces of the Vrindavani Vastra were believed to have been taken to Tibet during the 17th-18th century and collected by British explorers a century later.

The Chief Minister said the Assam government has begun the process to bring the historic treasure back to the State, where it truly belongs.

“The Vrindavani Vastra is an invaluable part of Assam’s history and civilisation. Except for a few who visited the London or Paris museums, none of us has seen it. We have only heard and read about it and seen its image in books and online media,” he said via Facebook live before departing for London.

The Chief Minister said that the JSW Group took the lead in connecting the Assam government with the British Museum authorities. He said that the group, under its corporate social responsibility, took up the responsibility to build a museum in Guwahati where the Vrindavani Vastra would be kept for exhibition.

“If everything goes off well, we will perhaps sign an agreement with them (British Museum authorities) tomorrow (November 16) to bring Vrindavani Vastra to Assam in 2027,” Mr. Sarma said.

He further stated that the Assam government would exhibit the Vrindavani Vastra in Delhi and Mumbai so that Indians are aware about the saint and his contributions.

In August, the Chief Minister said that the British Museum agreed to lend the Vrindavani Vastra for 18 months if the Assam government could construct a museum according to the required environmental standards.