Seven pieces of heritage furniture designed by Pierre Jeanneret from Chandigarh's Capitol Project were sold at an auction in Brussels. The sale fetched a combined €160,938 — approximately Rs 1.6 crore — according to reports.
The auction took place despite advance warnings from a heritage activist who had alerted the Indian government about the impending sale.
Activist's Plea Ignored Despite Advance Warning
Ajay Jagga, a member of Chandigarh's Heritage Protection Cell, had given written intimation to the Union Ministries of External Affairs and Culture two days before the sale. According to The Tribune, Jagga alerted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat about the sale by auction house PIASA, seeking urgent diplomatic intervention to stop it.
Despite this advance notice, the auction went ahead as scheduled. In a follow-up representation, Jagga expressed disappointment that the sale proceeded unchecked.
What Was Sold at the Brussels Auction
The auction featured 13 lots of Pierre Jeanneret-designed furniture from Chandigarh's Capitol Project. Seven of those lots were sold. The furniture is considered part of Chandigarh's architectural heritage, as Jeanneret was a key architect who worked with Le Corbusier on the city's design.
The sale highlights a recurring issue where heritage furniture from Chandigarh continues to be sold at international auctions, often fetching high prices from collectors abroad.
Our Take: A Failure to Protect Heritage
This sale raises serious questions about India's ability to protect its cultural heritage. The fact that a heritage activist gave advance notice to two ministries — and the auction still went ahead — suggests a breakdown in the system. In our view, the government needs a faster, more effective mechanism to intervene when heritage items are put up for sale abroad. If India values its architectural history, it must act before the auction hammer falls, not after.
