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A British man’s light-hearted comment at the National Museum of India has caught everyone’s attention. It has also reignited talks about India’s colonial past and the loss of its treasured artefacts to other countries. The traveller, identified as Alex, recently visited the museum in New Delhi with a friend named Amina. While walking through the quiet halls, Alex asked, “Amina, do you know why there’s hardly any artefacts in the National Museum of India?” Without missing a beat, Amina replied, “I think it’s because they’re all in London.” Alex nodded and said, “Ah, yeah, I remember,” ending the short clip with a knowing smile. The video, titled “Why the museums in India are empty”, has gathered over five lakh views online and sparked a wave of mixed reactions from viewers. Check the clip here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Wanders (@alexwandersyt) Internet Divided Over Colonial Past After the video spread online, social media users shared their thoughts, some amused, others reflective. Many pointed out how British museums still display artefacts taken from India during colonial times. A user wrote, “Everything was stolen by the British,” while another commented, “London has more Indian things than India.” A person added, “So very true, same goes for Greek artefacts and a load more,” connecting the issue to other nations whose treasures were taken away. Some people found humour in the situation. “They took everything, lol,” an individual said. Another wrote, “That’s why I feel at home when I go to museums in London.” Others expressed frustration, saying it was “sad but true.” Treasures That Never Returned India’s long demand for the return of its cultural treasures remains unresolved. Among the most famous examples is the Kohinoor diamond, now part of the British Crown Jewels. The 105-carat gem once belonged to Indian rulers before being taken by the East India Company and later presented to Queen Victoria. Other items include the Amravati Marbles, Tipu Sultan’s personal belongings, and countless sculptures, coins, and manuscripts displayed in British museums. Experts reportedly estimate that thousands of Indian artefacts remain in the UK, many obtained during the 18th and 19th centuries.
