The Netherlands on Saturday returned copper plates from the 11th century Chola dynasty to India at an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday after his quick tour of the UAE. This is the second leg of his five-nation tour. The Prime Minister described the occasion as “a joyous moment for every Indian”.
India has been seeking the return of these Anaimangalam copper plates, known as the Leiden plates in the Netherlands, since 2012.
“Joyful moment for every Indian! Chola copper plates dating back to the 11th century will be repatriated to India from the Netherlands,” Modi said in a social media post after attending the restitution ceremony.
Modi described the Anaimangalam copper plates as a set of 21 large plates and three small plates containing texts mostly in Tamil and relating to Rajendra Chola I, formalizing 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 maritime skills,” Modi said.
Modi also thanked the Dutch government for his gesture, along with Leiden University, where the plates have been kept since the mid-19th century.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a post on X that the plates highlight the legacy of the Chola dynasty.
“The return of the Chola era copper plates is another step towards the return of Indian cultural artefacts from abroad,” Jaiswal said.
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A press release issued by EAM revealed that Rob Jetten, the Dutch Prime Minister, was also present at the restitution ceremony.
“The Cola Copper Plates, a set of 21 large plates and 3 small plates, are royal charters issued by the Chola Kings during the 11th century AD. These charters formalize the donation of the village of Anaimangalam Buddha vihara called Chulamanivarma-vihara in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The plates contain texts written in Tamil and Sanskrit.” said press release.
“The restitution of these Chola copper plates assumes significance as they are not mere artifacts of the past but a priceless story of Indian heritage and civilization. The return of these plates home has a deep emotional appeal for the people of India,” the statement said.
Key things to know about plates
These copper plates are considered to be some of the most important artifacts of the Chola dynasty and important depictions of Tamil heritage held anywhere outside the country.
The weight of these plates is around 30 kg and they are connected by a bronze ring which bears the seal of the Chola dynasty.
There are two parts of the plates: one has the text written in Sanskrit, while the other has the text written in Tamil.
Rajaraja Chola I was a Hindu emperor, but he gave donations to a Buddhist monastery.
The original verbal order was given by Rajaraja Chola I himself and recorded on palm leaves. However, it was his son, Rajendra Chola I, who had the amount of the grant etched on durable copper plates for preservation. The bronze ring which binds the plates bears the seal of Rajendra Chola.
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How did these records get to the Netherlands?
The plates were taken to the Netherlands almost 300 years ago, in 1700, by a certain Florentius Camper, a pastor from Batavia. He was in India as part of a Christian missionary during the period when Nagapattinam, the town mentioned in the plates, was under Dutch control.
The 24th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Return and Restitution found that India’s claim as the country of origin of the plates was valid.
“…the Chola tablets were most likely excavated during the construction of Fort Vijf Sinnen and the rebuilding of the site at the ‘Chinese’ pagoda in Nagapattinam by the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) between 1687 and 1700. At that time, Nagapattinam was a city in southern India that was established as a trading colony. VOC trade network The VOC exercised territorial authority in and around Nagapattinam,” Leiden University states on its website.
