Historic Homecoming: Chola Dynasty Copper Plates Return to India

In a significant cultural exchange event, the Netherlands returned 11th-century Chola dynasty copper plates to India, witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten. The occasion, celebrated as a triumph of diplomacy, underscores the strengthening ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Modi, who made a brief stopover in the UAE before arriving in the Netherlands, expressed the emotional impact of the return, describing it on social media as a moment of immense joy for Indians. The copper plates, known as the Leiden Plates in the Netherlands, have been pursued by India since 2012.

The plates, containing extensive inscriptions in Tamil related to Rajendra Chola I, were previously housed at Leiden University. Their return signifies a step forward in India's endeavor to bring back cultural artefacts. The plates, holding testament to the grandeur of the Chola dynasty, are deemed pivotal records of Tamil heritage outside India.