Shroud of Turin, an Indian connection and ‘Race 2’
A running segment onGoodness Gracious Me— a sketch comedy show on the BBC in the 1990s that exaggerated stereotypes about NRIs — featured an Indian Uncle telling his son that, in essence, everything was Indian. In 2026, the discovery that the Shroud of Turin contains about 38 per cent of trace DNA from Indians may well fuel WhatsApp Uncles’ main character syndrome. And conspiracy theorists familiar with the plot of Race 2 (2013) are calling the film prophetic because the film revolves around the theft of the Shroud. A closer look, however, reveals a more fascinating story.
For believers, Jesus was wrapped in the Shroud of Turin after his crucifixion. Historically, though, the linen cloth was first documented in a French church in the 14th century. There have been many debates about its “authenticity”. The “Indian” imprints were found through DNA testing in a study led by Italian scientist Gianni Barcaccia. It said that the Shroud contains traces of “centuries of social, cultural, and ecological engagement”, including from the Mediterranean region and the Americas.
Ancient Indians were known to trade in textiles, and the cloth may well have originated in the Subcontinent. But the obsession with origins can distract from the larger, more heartening story. A bit of cloth, certainly centuries old, carries in its microscopic folds a story of contact and trade that is both tangible and transcendent. How all these people, flora and fauna, coalesced into a piece of linen at a time when travel was harder, but borders and nationalisms were softer, is a tale greater than any based on parochialism. And perhaps even Race 2.
- 1The discovery of Indian DNA on the Shroud of Turin underscores India's historical role in global trade networks, particularly in textiles, serving as a form of cultural diplomacy. This finding reinforces ancient commercial and cultural connections with Europe and the Mediterranean, long predating modern treaties. Such historical linkages can be leveraged in contemporary foreign policy to strengthen bilateral ties based on shared heritage and long-standing commercial engagement.
- 2The Shroud of Turin, if brought to India, could be classified as an 'antiquity' under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, regulating its ownership and movement. The DNA findings, while scientifically significant, would face scrutiny as evidence in a court. Under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA), the admissibility of such expert scientific opinion would depend on its relevance, reliability, and the expert's credibility.
- 3The Indian DNA traces highlight the economic significance of ancient India's textile trade, a key driver of its historical prosperity and global influence. This discovery can boost cultural tourism and reinforce national pride, but it also reflects a deeper social narrative of global interconnectedness. It showcases how historical trade routes facilitated not just economic exchange but also the movement of people and the blending of cultures across continents.
- 4The study led by Gianni Barcaccia exemplifies the power of modern genetic sequencing in historical and archaeological research. By analyzing trace DNA from the linen cloth, scientists can reconstruct ancient patterns of human migration, trade routes, and ecological contact. This technique provides tangible evidence of global interactions, revealing how flora, fauna, and human populations from diverse regions like India and the Americas converged on a single artifact.