The Wellcome Collection in London has announced plans to transfer 2,000 Jain manuscripts to the Jain community, but they will remain in the UK at the University of Birmingham’s Dharmanath Network in Jain Studies. The manuscripts, ranging from the 15th to 19th centuries, were largely purchased in 1919 from a temple in India and from sources in present-day Pakistan. The transfer follows years of dialogue with the UK-based Institute of Jainology and aims to maximize community access and research opportunities.
This decision matters because it represents a novel approach to restitution—returning cultural heritage to a diaspora community rather than to a country of origin. The collection is believed to be the largest Jain manuscript holding outside South Asia, and the transfer sets a potential model for other faith communities seeking access to their cultural heritage. It also highlights ongoing debates about colonial-era acquisitions and the ethical responsibilities of institutions to address historical injustices while ensuring preservation and scholarly use.