*A 1,000-Year-Old Treasure Returns Home. 🇮🇳*
After 300 years in Dutch possession, the historic Anaimangalam Copper Plates — one of the most significant surviving records of the Chola Empire — have officially returned to India.
This landmark moment happened during PM Narendra Modi Ji's visit to the Netherlands, in the presence of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The plates consist of 21 large copper sheets and 3 smaller plates, written in Tamil and Sanskrit. They document a royal grant from King Rajaraja Chola I, later inscribed in copper by his son, the great Rajendra Chola I. ⚔️
These plates are not just history. They are proof of India's maritime power, administrative brilliance, and cultural reach across Southeast Asia — over a thousand years ago.
Taken during Dutch colonial rule in the 18th century. Kept at Leiden University for over 160 years. Brought back through years of determined Indian diplomacy.
India's civilisational heritage belongs to India. And today, it has come home.
#CholaCopperPlates #AnaImangalamPlates #PMModiInNetherlands #CulturalHeritage #IndiaProud #CholaEmpire #TamilHeritage #ModiDiplomacy
The Netherlands will hand over the 11th-century Anaimangalam Chola Copper Plates to India during PM Narendra Modi’s visit, marking the return of a priceless piece of Indian history after more than 300 years at Leiden University.
The 21 copper plates record a land grant by Chola emperor Rajaraja I to a Buddhist vihara at Nagapattinam and contain inscriptions in both Tamil and Sanskrit.
Historians consider them one of the most important records of the Chola Empire’s administration and maritime influence.
The move is being seen as a major cultural and diplomatic gesture between India and the Netherlands.
*A 1,000-Year-Old Treasure Returns Home. 🇮🇳*
After 300 years in Dutch possession, the historic Anaimangalam Copper Plates — one of the most significant surviving records of the Chola Empire — have officially returned to India.
This landmark moment happened during PM Narendra Modi Ji's visit to the Netherlands, in the presence of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The plates consist of 21 large copper sheets and 3 smaller plates, written in Tamil and Sanskrit. They document a royal grant from King Rajaraja Chola I, later inscribed in copper by his son, the great Rajendra Chola I. ⚔️
These plates are not just history. They are proof of India's maritime power, administrative brilliance, and cultural reach across Southeast Asia — over a thousand years ago.
Taken during Dutch colonial rule in the 18th century. Kept at Leiden University for over 160 years. Brought back through years of determined Indian diplomacy.
India's civilisational heritage belongs to India. And today, it has come home.
#CholaCopperPlates #AnaImangalamPlates #PMModiInNetherlands #CulturalHeritage #IndiaProud #CholaEmpire #TamilHeritage #ModiDiplomacy
I express my sincere gratitude to our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for bringing back the historic “Anaimangalam Copper Plates,” a treasured heritage artifact dating back to the reign of Rajaraja Chola I, from the Netherlands to our motherland.
The return of these 11th-century “Anaimangalam Copper Plates,” which stand as a testament to the glory of the Chola dynasty, South India’s vibrant maritime and trade connections, and the harmonious relations fostered by the Chola rulers with people of different faiths, is not merely a proud moment for us, but also a deeply emotional and historic milestone.
#WATCH | In a significant boost to India’s cultural heritage efforts, the Netherlands returns the renowned 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬, also known as the Leiden Plates, to India during PM @narendramodi’s visit.
The 11th-century Chola-era artefacts, housed at Leiden University for over three centuries, reflect the rich legacy of Tamil history and the Chola Empire.
@PMOIndia@MEAIndia@MinOfCultureGoI #PMModiInNetherlands @IndinNederlands@MEAIndia
🚨Netherlands will hand over the 11th-century Anaimangalam Chola Copper Plates to India during PM Modi’s visit.
The 21-plate set records Rajaraja I’s grant to a Buddhist vihara at Nagapattinam & has been at Leiden University for over 300 years.