16 May 2026: In a significant cultural restitution gesture, the Netherlands formally returned a set of 11th-century Chola-era copper plates to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the European nation as reported by NDTV.
According to NDTV, the handover marked the culmination of years of diplomatic negotiations and symbolised strengthening ties between the two countries.
The artefacts, popularly referred to in Europe as the “Leiden Plates,” are considered among the most historically significant surviving records from the Chola Empire. India had reportedly been pursuing their return since 2012.
As reported by NDTV, PM Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday after concluding a visit to the United Arab Emiratesas part of his ongoing five-country tour, which also includes stops in Sweden, Norway and Italy.
PM Modi announced the repatriation of the Chola-era copper plates through a post on X.
“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”, he wrote.
According to NDTV, the copper plates date back to the reign of Rajaraja Chola I, who ruled between 985 and 1014 CE. Historians regard the inscriptions as one of the most valuable pieces of Tamil heritage preserved outside India.
The collection comprises 21 copper plates weighing close to 30 kilograms. They are secured together with a bronze ring bearing the royal Chola seal. While one portion of the inscriptions is written in Sanskrit, the other is inscribed in Tamil.
The records document grants made for a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam, reflecting the religious and cultural exchanges that flourished during the Chola era. Scholars believe the inscriptions provide rare insights into maritime trade connections between South India and Southeast Asia, as well as the coexistence of multiple faiths during that period.
Historical accounts suggest that Rajaraja Chola I initially issued the order verbally, which was first documented on palm leaves. Later, his son Rajendra Chola I had the details engraved onto copper plates to preserve the decree permanently. The bronze binding ring also carries Rajendra Chola’s emblem.
NDTV further reported that the plates were taken to the Netherlands in the 18th century by Florentius Camper, who was associated with a Christian mission in India during the time when Nagapattinam was under Dutch control.
For several decades, the artefacts remained stored in secured facilities in the Netherlands and were mainly accessible to historians, researchers and academics on request. Over time, they gained recognition among Tamil epigraphists and historians and also became widely known through references in Ponniyin Selvan, the iconic Tamil literary work centred on the Chola empire.
India’s claim for restitution received international support during the 24th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Return and Restitution, which recognised India as the rightful country of origin and encouraged dialogue between both governments regarding the artefacts’ return.
The Dutch government ultimately decided to return the copper plates during PM Modi’s official visit, adding a strong cultural dimension to the growing partnership between India and the Netherlands, NDTV reported.