Viral Video Exposes India's Stolen Treasures Held in British Museums

In October 2025, a video of a British vlogger's conversation with a fellow traveler at the National Museum of India in Delhi has gone viral, sparking renewed outrage over the issue of Indian cultural artifacts held in UK museums.

In the video, the vlogger, Alex, is seen touring the museum with Amina. As they walk through the galleries, Alex asks, "Do you know why there's hardly any artefacts here at the National Museum of India?" Amina's response is blunt: "I think it's because they're all in London." Alex nods in agreement, saying, "Oh, yes, I remember."

This exchange has resonated widely on social media, with many users saying it reflects a "painful truth" about how countless artifacts from India were taken to Britain during the colonial era and remain there today. Experts estimate that thousands of Indian artefacts are still held in the UK, many acquired in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Some of the most famous items include the Kohinoor diamond, housed in the Tower of London, the Amravati Marbles, and personal belongings of Tipu Sultan, all of which are displayed in British museums. In recent years, India has stepped up efforts to reclaim its cultural property from the UK, but the return of these prized possessions remains an ongoing battle.