• Source:JND

India has marked an important cultural and historical milestone with the return of the 11th-century Anaimangalam Chola copper plates from the Netherlands during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. The handover marks an important step in restoring India’s ancient heritage items taken away during the colonial era.

PM Modi Hails Return Of Copper Plates

In a post on X, PM Modi described the return of the 11th-century Chola Copper Plates from the Netherlands as “a joyous moment for every Indian.” He shared details of the repatriation ceremony attended alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, calling copper plates an important part of India’s cultural heritage.

He wrote, "A joyous moment for every Indian. Chola Copper Plates dating back to the 11th century, will be repatriated to India from the Netherlands. Took part in the ceremony for the same in the presence of Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The Chola Copper Plates are a set of 21 large plates and 3 small plates, and largely contain texts in Tamil, one of the most beautiful languages of the world."

PM Modi added, "They relate to the great Rajendra Chola I formalising an oral commitment made by his father, King Rajaraja I. 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."

Netherlands Hands Over Chola Copper Plates

According to reports, the copper plates date back to the 11th century, during the rule of Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I. They contain important inscriptions written in Tamil and Sanskrit, recording land grants and royal orders given to a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam, a city in Tamil Nadu. These records are considered highly valuable for understanding India’s medieval history.

Why Are They Significant?

The artefact consists of 21 large copper sheets and a few smaller ones, all bound together with a copper ring and a royal seal. According to historians, they are not just administrative records but important historical documents that show how advanced and connected the Chola empire was. They believe that the plates were originally issued to support the Chudamani Vihara, a Buddhist monastery linked to cultural and trade connections between South India and Southeast Asia.

How Did Copper Plates Reach Netherlands?

These copper plates had been in the Netherlands for more than 300 years. They were believed to have reached Europe during Dutch colonial rule in the Coromandel region and later became part of the Leiden University collection in the 19th century. India had been trying for several years to secure the return of these artefacts through diplomatic discussions with the Dutch government and Leiden University.

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The effort picked up pace after the Netherlands introduced a restitution policy for colonial-era objects in 2022, which helped facilitate the repatriation of the Chola copper plates. After 14 years of discussions and efforts, the Netherlands has now agreed to return them to India. The plates are expected to be preserved and possibly displayed in Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, in his address, PM Modi highlighted the strong partnership between India and the Netherlands. He said, “The tulip and the lotus remind us that whether roots lie in water or in the soil, with the right nourishment, they blossom. This is also the foundation of the partnership between India and the Netherlands.”

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