In a significant cultural restitution, the 11th century Chola Copper Plates were formally returned to India from the Netherlands in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten today witnessed the restitution of the historic Chola Copper Plates to the Government of India by the Leiden University Library during a ceremony held in the Netherlands.
The Chola Copper Plates, dating back to the 11th century CE, consist of 21 large plates and three smaller plates. These royal charters were issued during the reign of the Chola dynasty and contain inscriptions written in Tamil and Sanskrit.
The copper plates formalize the gifting of Anaimangalam village to a Buddhist vihara known as Chulamanivarma-vihara in Nagapattinam. The inscriptions are associated with the reign of Rajendra Chola I and record the fulfilment of a commitment originally made by his father, Rajaraja Chola I.
Prime Minister Modi described the return of the copper plates as “a joyous moment for every Indian” and said the artefacts represent the greatness of the Chola civilization, its rich culture and maritime achievements.
In a statement shared on social media, Shri Modi said the inscriptions are largely written in Tamil, which he described as one of the world’s most beautiful languages. He noted that the plates are not only historical artefacts but also a symbol of India’s civilizational heritage and cultural legacy.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Government of the Netherlands and Leiden University for preserving the copper plates since the mid-19th century and facilitating their return to India.
The restitution of the Chola Copper Plates is being viewed as an important step in international cultural cooperation and heritage preservation. The return also carries deep emotional and historical significance for the people of India, especially in Tamil Nadu, where the Chola dynasty remains an important part of cultural history.
The Chola Empire is widely remembered for its contributions to art, architecture, maritime trade and governance, and the returned copper plates are considered valuable records of that era.
Source: MEA
