Netherlands Returns Chola Plates to India: Historic Repatriation

Netherlands Returns 1,000-Year-Old Chola Copper Plates to India

In a landmark cultural restitution ceremony on May 16, 2026, the Netherlands formally returned a set of 11th-century Chola copper plates to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to The Hague. The Anaimangalam Copper Plates, also known as the Leiden Plates, are among the most significant surviving records of the Chola dynasty and had been housed at Leiden University since 1862. The return marks the culmination of a 14-year diplomatic effort by India and reflects the Netherlands' evolving policy on colonial-era artefacts.

What Are the Chola Plates?

The Chola Plates consist of 21 large and three smaller copper sheets weighing approximately 30 kilograms, bound together by a bronze ring bearing the royal seal of Emperor Rajendra Chola I. The bilingual inscriptions are written in Sanskrit (tracing the genealogy of the Chola dynasty) and Tamil (detailing administrative and revenue arrangements). They were issued during the 21st regnal year of Emperor Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE) and formalize the donation of the village of Anaimangalam near Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, to the Chulamanivarma Vihara—a Buddhist monastery built by a ruler from the Srivijaya Empire (present-day Indonesia).

The plates document land revenue grants to the Buddhist shrine and monasteries in Nagapattinam, offering rare insight into the religious coexistence and maritime trade networks that connected South India with Southeast Asia over a millennium ago. As the Chola dynasty's maritime trade expanded across the Indian Ocean, such inscriptions served as legal records of cross-cultural patronage.

How Did the Plates End Up in the Netherlands?

The copper plates were likely excavated during the construction of a Dutch East India Company (VOC) fort in Nagapattinam between 1687 and 1700. They were taken to the Netherlands in the early 18th century by Florentius Camper, a missionary associated with the Dutch presence on the Coromandel Coast. In 1862, the plates were donated to Leiden University, where they remained in the University Libraries collection for over 160 years.

India first formally requested their return in 2012, and the request gained momentum after the Netherlands adopted a new Policy Framework for Collections with a Colonial Background in 2022. The independent Dutch Colonial Collections Committee conducted a provenance investigation and concluded that the plates were involuntarily removed during colonial rule without the consent of the original owners. The committee recommended their unconditional return to India.

The Restitution Ceremony and Diplomatic Significance

The formal handover took place in The Hague during Prime Minister Modi's three-day visit to the Netherlands, which was part of a five-nation tour also including Sweden, Norway, and Italy. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten presided over the ceremony alongside PM Modi. "This is a joyous moment for every Indian," PM Modi said in a social media post after the event. "The Chola copper plates represent not just a legal document, but the living heritage of India's civilisational history and its deep connections with Southeast Asia."

Leiden University's Executive Board formally approved the restitution earlier in May 2026. Board chairperson Sels stated: "The University of Leiden realises that the pieces are of great historical value for India and that it is therefore important that they return to the country of origin." The plates will be transferred to the Archaeological Survey of India in New Delhi, which will determine their public exhibition. Digital copies will remain accessible for academic research at Leiden University.

The restitution is part of a broader trend of the Netherlands returning colonial-era artefacts. In 2023, the country returned 478 objects to Indonesia and Sri Lanka, including the Cannon of Kandy and ancient Javanese temple carvings. In September 2024, another 288 artefacts were returned to Indonesia. The Dutch colonial restitution policy has set a precedent for other European nations grappling with colonial legacies.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Chola Plates are exceptional for several reasons. They document the patronage of a Buddhist institution by a Hindu ruler, illustrating the religious pluralism of the Chola empire. The plates also highlight the extensive Indian Ocean trade networks: the Srivijaya king who built the monastery in Nagapattinam was from a Buddhist kingdom in Sumatra, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the period.

Scholars consider the plates one of the most important epigraphical sources for understanding Chola administration, land revenue systems, and international relations. The Sanskrit portion traces the Chola lineage back to the Hindu god Vishnu, while the Tamil text provides specific details about tax exemptions and village boundaries. This combination makes the plates a unique bilingual record of medieval South Indian statecraft.

The return also coincides with growing global awareness about the need to address historical injustices. The repatriation of colonial artefacts has become a key issue in international cultural diplomacy, with countries like Nigeria, Greece, and Ethiopia also seeking the return of their heritage.

Impact on India-Netherlands Relations

The repatriation ceremony took place against the backdrop of strengthening bilateral ties. India and the Netherlands have a comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with bilateral trade reaching USD 27.8 billion in 2024–25. The Netherlands is India's fourth-largest foreign investor, with cumulative FDI of USD 55.6 billion. Key areas of cooperation include semiconductors (with Dutch company ASML), water management, clean energy, green hydrogen, and defence.

PM Modi's visit also focused on implementing the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The cultural restitution added a symbolic dimension to the economic and strategic discussions, demonstrating that both nations are committed to addressing historical imbalances while building a forward-looking partnership.

FAQ

What are the Chola Plates?

The Chola Plates (also called the Anaimangalam or Leiden Plates) are a set of 24 copper sheets from the 11th century, inscribed in Sanskrit and Tamil, documenting land grants to a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam by Chola Emperor Rajaraja I.

Why did the Netherlands return them?

Following a 2022 Dutch policy on colonial collections, the independent Colonial Collections Committee investigated and found the plates were taken without consent during VOC colonial rule. They advised unconditional restitution.

How long were the plates in the Netherlands?

The plates were brought to the Netherlands in the early 18th century and housed at Leiden University since 1862—over 160 years.

Where will the plates be kept now?

The plates will be transferred to the Archaeological Survey of India in New Delhi, which will decide on their preservation and public display.

What is the significance of the Chola Plates?

They are a rare bilingual record of Chola administration, religious patronage, and maritime trade connections between South India and Southeast Asia, highlighting the historical religious pluralism under Hindu rulers.

Sources

This article is based on reporting from NOS, Leiden University, the Indian Express, India Today, NDTV, the Dutch government's Colonial Collections Committee, and the Hindustan Times.