New Delhi: The Netherlands has returned a rare set of 11th-century Chola-era copper plates to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to The Hague, marking a significant cultural repatriation linked to India’s medieval history.
Known as the Anaimangalam Plates, the collection consists of 21 large and three small copper sheets carrying inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskrit. The inscriptions document land grants made by Chola rulers to a monastery in present-day Tamil Nadu and provide insights into the administration, maritime influence, and trade connections of the Chola empire with Southeast Asia, according to reports.
The copper plates had been preserved at Leiden University since 1862 and were returned after years of diplomatic engagement between India and the Netherlands.
Sharing the development in a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the return of the artifacts as “a moment of joy for all Indians”. He said he had joined Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the event marking the handover ceremony.
Modi said the inscriptions on the plates were largely written in Tamil and reflected the cultural and historical legacy of the Chola dynasty. He noted that the copper plates formalised a promise received by Emperor Rajendra Chola I from his father, Rajaraja Chola I, and also highlighted the achievements and naval strength of the Cholas.
“They also showcase the greatness of the Cholas. We in India are immensely proud of the Cholas, their culture, and their maritime prowess. I thank the government of the Netherlands and Leiden University in particular, where the Copper Plates were kept since the mid-19th century,” Modi said.
