Netherlands Returns 11th Century Chola Copper Plates To India After Over 100 Years

The Netherlands on Friday formally handed back the centuries old Anaimangalam copper plates to India, marking a major step in the return of cultural artefacts taken away during the colonial period.

The return of the rare Chola era inscriptions came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands as part of his five nation tour.

Also known as the Leiden Plates in the Netherlands, the copper inscriptions are among the most important surviving records from the Chola dynasty. They had remained in Dutch possession for more than a century and were housed at Leiden University.

The repatriation followed years of diplomatic discussions between India, the Dutch government and Leiden University.

What Are The Anaimangalam Copper Plates?

The copper plates date back to the reign of Emperor

Rajaraja Chola I between 985 and 1014 CE. Historians consider them an important part of Tamil heritage and one of the finest examples of Chola era inscriptions preserved outside India.

The records mention grants of land revenue and taxes made to the Chudamani Vihara, a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam. The monastery was built by Sri Mara Vijayotunga Varman, ruler of the Srivijaya kingdom in present day Indonesia.

According to historians, the inscriptions offer valuable insight into maritime trade links, religious harmony and cultural exchanges between South India and Southeast Asia during the height of Chola rule.

They also reflect how Hindu rulers of the period supported Buddhist institutions, highlighting traditions of coexistence across faiths.

Why Are The Plates Historically Important?

Scholars say the period witnessed strong cultural ties between India and Southeast Asia. Buddhist scholar Dipankara Srijana, also known as Atisa, is believed to have travelled to Indonesia, while Chinese pilgrims travelling to Nalanda often passed through the region on their way to India.

The artefacts themselves are monumental in scale. The Anaimangalam copper plates include 21 large and three small copper sheets weighing nearly 30 kilograms. They are bound together by a circular copper ring carrying the royal Chola seal.

While the original grant was issued during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I, historians say his son Rajendra Chola I later ordered the inscriptions to be engraved on copper plates for permanent preservation.

Experts describe the plates as more than administrative records, calling them valuable historical documents that provide a glimpse into the commercially connected and cosmopolitan world of medieval South India.

Chola Legacy And Cultural Heritage

The Chola dynasty rose to prominence after ruler Vijayalaya captured Thanjavur around 850 CE. Under the Cholas, Tamil civilisation witnessed major developments in trade, art, architecture and administration.

One of the greatest architectural achievements of the period was the Brihadisvara Temple built by Rajaraja Chola I in the late 10th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is now recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The Chola period was also known for its bronze sculptures, many of which continue to be celebrated globally for their artistic excellence.

How Did The Plates Reach The Netherlands?

Historians believe the copper plates were taken to the Netherlands during Dutch colonial rule on the Coromandel Coast in the 18th century. They are believed to have been acquired by Dutch official Florentius Camper through a Christian missionary in India when Nagapattinam was under the control of the Dutch East India Company.

The Dutch East India Company shifted its Coromandel headquarters from Pulicat to Nagapattinam in 1690. During this period, the artefacts passed into European possession.

The plates later became part of Leiden University’s collection in 1862 through the estate of Prof Hendrik Arent Hamaker and remained preserved in the university library’s Asian collections.

For decades, the inscriptions were stored in secure vaults and were mainly accessible to researchers and historians through prior requests. The plates also gained recognition in popular culture through Ponniyin Selvan, the celebrated Tamil historical novel based on the Chola era.

India’s Efforts To Bring Back The Artefacts

India had been pursuing the return of the artefacts for years through diplomatic engagement with the Dutch government and Leiden University. Progress accelerated after the Netherlands adopted a restitution policy for colonial era artefacts in 2022.