Netherlands Returns Chola-Era Copper Plates to India During Modi’s Visit
The 21 copper plates, dated to Rajaraja Chola I’s reign, were returned after 14 years of diplomatic efforts and UNESCO-backed talks.
- On Friday, the Netherlands formally returned the 11th-century Anaimangalam copper plates to India, marking a major cultural restitution of artefacts taken during the colonial era.
- Brought to the Netherlands around 1700 by missionary Florentius Camper, the 21 copper plates date back to the reign of Rajaraja Chola I, who ruled Southern India between 985 and 1014 CE.
- India began pursuing the repatriation of these artefacts in 2012, eventually securing support from the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Properties in 2023 to facilitate the bilateral agreement.
- The return coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day visit to the Netherlands, where he meets Prime Minister Rob Jetten to strengthen trade and diplomatic partnerships.
- This visit follows the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India in January, opening new avenues for cooperation in sectors like semiconductor manufacturing.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Chola Plates: The copper plates, held together by a bronze signet ring, contain texts in Sanskrit and Tamil. The objects are…
The pieces will be officially shown during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi.
Five-Nation Visit: Netherlands returns Chola copper plates and sculpture during PM Modi’s historic visit
The Netherlands on May 16 officially handed over the 11th-century Anaimangalam copper plates to India, marking a major step in the return of historically significant artefacts taken away during the colonial period. The development coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands during the second leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour. The inscriptions, popularly referred to in Europe as the Leiden Plates, are considered am…
Netherlands to return Chola-era copper plates during Modi visit. It’s culmination of a 14-yr effort
The plates have been a part of the Leiden University Library for over 300 years. They were transferred to the Netherlands while the city of Nagappatinam was under Dutch control.
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