UK blocks export of Indian silver durbar set owned by Robert Clive

The UK government has temporarily placed an export bar on a rare Indian silver Durbar set, made up of rosewater sprinklers, paan caskets and huqqa bases worth around 730,000 pounds, to offer a gallery or institution in Britain an opportunity to acquire it for public display. As per reports, the set was among the many belongings of Robert Clive - referred to as "Clive of India" for his central role in establishing Britain's colonial domination over India in the 18th century.  “The set, believed to have been used in Mughal court assemblies in India, was among the many belongings of Robert Clive -- referred to as "Clive of India" for his central role in establishing Britain's colonial domination over India in the 18th century,” NDTV reported.  Culture minister Caroline Dinenage was quoted saying that she was imposing the temporary block, which will run until April and could be extended till September if funds are found to keep the collection in Britain, to help the public better understand the UK's "long friendship" with India. "I hope that an institution is able to save this collection for the public to help us better understand our nation's long friendship with India," she said.