A set of historic Chola-era copper plates from the Netherlands will be repatriated to India, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the return as “a joyous moment for every Indian”.
In a statement shared on X this week, Indian Prime Minister Modi said the copper plates, dating back to the 11th Century, would be returned from the Netherlands after having been preserved for decades at Leiden University.
The Chola copper plates consist of 21 large plates and three smaller plates, containing inscriptions primarily written in Tamil. According to Modi, the inscriptions relate the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I and formalise an oral commitment made by his father,King Rajaraja I.
“They also showcase the greatness of the Cholas,” Modi stated, adding that Indians are proud of the "culture and their maritime prowess” of the Cholas.
The Chola dynasty, which ruled large parts of South India and beyond between the 9th and 13th centuries, is widely remembered for its military expansion, temple architecture, administrative systems and maritime trade networks stretching across South and Southeast Asia. Tamil inscriptions and artefacts from the Chola period continue to hold immense historical and cultural value for Tamils worldwide.
The repatriation ceremony reportedly took place in the presence of Dutch officials, with Modi thanking the Government of the Netherlands and Leiden University for facilitating the return of the artefacts.
