Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the repatriation of the historic Chola Copper Plates from the Netherlands to India, describing the development as “a joyous moment for every Indian.”
The ceremonial handover took place during Modi’s official visit to the Netherlands in the presence of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The artefacts, known as the Anaimangalam Copper Plates or Leiden Plates, date back to the 11th century and are regarded as some of the most important surviving records of the Chola dynasty.
The collection consists of 21 large copper plates and three smaller plates, inscribed largely in Tamil and bound together by rings bearing royal seals.
In a post on X, Modi said the inscriptions reflected the “greatness of the Cholas” and highlighted India’s pride in the dynasty’s culture and maritime legacy. He noted that the texts document how Emperor Rajendra Chola I formalised an oral commitment made by his father, King Rajaraja Chola I. Modi also thanked the Dutch government and Leiden University, where the plates had been preserved since the mid-19th century.
The return marks the culmination of more than a decade of diplomatic efforts by India. According to reports, India formally intensified its claim in 2023 through UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property.
The Dutch Colonial Collections Committee later advised that the artefacts should be unconditionally returned, concluding that they had been removed from South India without the consent of rightful owners.
Leiden University said the copper plates are historically significant documents that provide insight into South Indian royal charters and the relationship between the Chola and Srivijaya empires. The university’s executive board approved their restitution following the committee’s recommendation.
The plates had reportedly reached the Netherlands during the Dutch colonial presence in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, around the late 17th or early 18th century. They remained part of Leiden University’s collection for more than 300 years.
The repatriation is being viewed as another milestone in India’s broader campaign to recover cultural artefacts taken abroad during the colonial era.
