The Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878 (Act No. VI of 1878.1) (12 February 1878) is an act to amend the law relating to treasures found in India.Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878 Archaeological Survey of India 13 February 2018Antiquity - Acts & Rules It defines treasure specifically as "anything of any value hidden in the soil" and worth as little as 10 rupees (usually around $0.15 or £0.10). This law was brought to preserve and protect artifacts of historical value found in Indian soil, such as ancient copper hoards.
What the law details The finder of any such treasure, according to this law, needs to inform the most senior local officer of the "nature and amount or approximate value of such treasure and the place where it was found". Also, if the finder fails to hand over the bounty to the government, the "share of such treasure ... shall vest in Her Majesty", the Queen of the United Kingdom.Does buried treasure in India still belong to the Queen? India to wield axe on 287 laughable colonial British laws DNA India 7 October 2017
Law not user friendly for treasure hunters Criticism as to the complexity and the subsequent irrelevance of the law in its current form has been voiced, particularly by the hobby metal detector enthusiasts and professional treasure hunters. Moreover, such criticism has been voiced as lacking incentive for treasure hunters as practically all finds belong to the local Government.Ten laws that India should scrap BBC 7 October 2014Five most bizarre British Raj laws being repealed by India The Telegraph 15 October 2014 However, reforms in the law are being sought.Archaeological plundering in India getting worrisome, say experts Times of India 31 May 2013
All major metal detecting, excavations and treasure hunts per se are carried out by India's nodal agency setup for the purpose, the Archaeological Survey of India.
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External links
Official website of the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the Treasure Act 1996