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Netherlands Returns 11th Century Chola Copper Plates to India

The Netherlands has returned the 11th-century Chola Copper Plates to India, with PM Modi present at the ceremony. The plates are royal charters issued by Chola Kings, formalizing the gifting of Anaimangalam village to a Buddhist vihara. The texts are in Tamil and Sanskrit, highlighting India's rich heritage and civilization. PM Modi described the return as a joyous moment for every Indian.

Key Points: Chola Copper Plates Returned to India from Netherlands

  • Netherlands returns 11th-century Chola Copper Plates to India
  • Plates are royal charters issued by Chola Kings formalizing land gift
  • Texts in Tamil and Sanskrit detail heritage and civilization
  • PM Modi calls it a joyous moment for every Indian
2 min read

Netherlands returns 11th century Chola Copper Plates to India, PM Modi says "joyous moment for every Indian"

Netherlands returns 11th-century Chola Copper Plates to India. PM Modi calls it a joyous moment for every Indian, highlighting the heritage and civilization.

"A joyous moment for every Indian! Chola Copper Plates dating back to the 11th Century will be repatriated to India from the Netherlands. - Narendra Modi"

The Hague, May 16

The Leiden University Library in the Netherlands today restituted the 11th-century Chola Copper Plates to the Government of India in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.

An official release said that Chola Copper Plates, a set of 21 large plates and 3 small plates, are royal charters issued by Chola Kings during the 11th century CE.

These charters formalise gifting of Anaimangalam village to a Buddha vihara called Chulamanivarma-vihara in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The Plates contain texts written in Tamil and Sanskrit.

The restitution of these Chola copper plates assumes significance since they are not merely artefacts of the past, but an invaluable story of India's heritage and civilization, the release said. The homecoming of these plates has a deep emotional appeal for the people of India.

PM Modi described the return a joyous moment for every Indian.

"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," he said in a post on X.

The Chola Copper Plates are a set of 21 large plates and three small plates and largely contain texts in Tamil, one of the most beautiful languages of the world.

"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," he added.

PM Modi thanked the Netherlands government and Leiden University in particular, where the Copper Plates were kept since the mid-19th century.

PM Modi is on a visit to the Netherlands in the second leg of his five-nation tour.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
This is wonderful! But I hope the government also prioritizes preserving these artifacts properly once they're back. So many Indian museums lack basic climate control and security. Let's not just celebrate the return but ensure they're displayed and studied with the respect they deserve.
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Siddharth J
Absolutely chuffed about this! 🎉 The Cholas were ahead of their time—administrative geniuses with a soft spot for Buddhism, as these plates show. Anaimangalam village gifted to a vihara built by a Srivijayan king? That's diplomacy and culture blended beautifully. PM Modi rightly called it a joyous moment.
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Michael C
As an American with a deep interest in Indian history, this is genuinely heartwarming. The copper plates aren't just metal—they're living documents connecting modern India to its glorious past. The fact that they mention both Tamil and Sanskrit, and a Buddhist vihara, shows how inclusive and advanced the Chola civilization was. Kudos to the Netherlands for a classy gesture.
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Rohit L
Great news, but honestly, why did it take so long? These plates were taken during colonial times—basically loot. We should be more assertive about reclaiming all artifacts stolen by European powers. Anyway, glad they're finally coming home. Hope this sets a precedent for the Kohinoor and other treasures still abroad. ✊
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Lisa P
Just reading about the Chola copper plates gives me goosebumps. The fact that these charters mention a village gift to a Buddhist monastery built by a foreign king (Srivijaya) shows how interconnected ancient India was with Southeast Asia. This is a win for cultural diplomacy

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