Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India
Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India
05/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2026 10:36
Restitution of Chola Copper Plates (May 16, 2026)
In the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Rob Jetten, the Leiden University Library today restituted the 11th century Chola Copper Plates to the Government of India.
2. Chola Copper Plates, a set of 21 large plates and 3 small plates, are royal charters issued by Chola Kings during the 11th century CE. These charters formalise gifting of Anaimangalam village to a Buddha vihara called Chulamanivarma-vihara in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The Plates contain texts written in Tamil and Sanskrit.
3. The restitution of these Chola copper plates assumes significance since they are not merely artefacts of the past, but an invaluable story of India's heritage and civilization. The home-coming of these plates has a deep emotional appeal for the people of India.
The Hague
May 16, 2026
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