Says “ A joyous moment for every Indian! Chola Copper Plates dating back to 11th Century will be repatriated to India from the Netherlands”
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that a rare collection of Chola-era copper plates dating back to the 11th Century will be returned to India from the Netherlands, calling the development a proud and emotional moment for the country and an important milestone in preserving India’s civilisational heritage.
In a post on social media platform X during his ongoing visit to the Netherlands, Modi said he attended a special ceremony marking the repatriation of the historic artefacts in the presence of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
“A joyous moment for every Indian! Chola Copper Plates dating back to the 11th Century will be repatriated to India from the Netherlands. Took part in the ceremony for the same in the presence of Prime Minister Rob Jetten,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the collection consists of 21 large copper plates and three smaller ones, carrying inscriptions primarily in Tamil, which he described as “one of the most beautiful languages of the world”.
According to Modi, the inscriptions are linked to the reign of the legendary Chola emperor and record the formal implementation of a commitment originally made orally by his father. He said the artefacts stand as a testament to the Chola empire’s administrative excellence, cultural richness and maritime influence.
“They also showcase the greatness of the Cholas. We, in India, are immensely proud of the Cholas, their culture and their maritime prowess,” Modi said.
The Chola dynasty, one of the most influential empires in Indian history, ruled large parts of southern India and extended its influence into Southeast Asia between the 9th and 13th centuries. The dynasty is renowned for its monumental temple architecture, naval expeditions, efficient governance and contribution to Tamil literature and art. Historians regard Rajaraja I and Rajendra Chola I as among the most powerful rulers of the era, credited with expanding the empire’s reach across the Indian Ocean.
The copper plates had been housed in the Netherlands since the mid-19th Century. Modi thanked both the Dutch government and the university for facilitating their return.
“I thank the Government of the Netherlands and Leiden University in particular, where the Copper Plates were kept since the mid-19th century,” the Prime Minister said.
The return of the artefacts is part of India’s wider campaign to reclaim historically significant objects and antiquities that were removed from the country during colonial rule or smuggled abroad over the years. India has intensified diplomatic efforts in recent years to secure the repatriation of cultural treasures from museums, universities and private collections across the world.
Officials said the return of the Chola Copper Plates is expected to deepen cultural ties between India and the Netherlands while reinforcing global efforts towards restoring important heritage artefacts to their countries of origin.
