Hyderabad, May 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Netherlands has agreed to return rare 11th century Chola copper plates to India, marking a major cultural and historical development during his visit to the European nation.
The announcement came after bilateral discussions between India and the Netherlands covering trade, commerce, defence and cultural cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi described the return of the ancient artefacts as a proud and emotional moment for India.
Sharing details on social media, Modi said he participated in the formal handover process along with Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Zetten.
According to Modi, the collection includes 21 large copper plates and three smaller plates belonging to the Chola period.
The inscriptions on the plates are written in Tamil and are believed to date back to the reign of Rajendra Chola, son of the legendary Rajaraja Chola.
Modi said the copper plates reflect the greatness, administrative excellence and cultural heritage of the Chola dynasty.
He stated that Indians across the world take pride in the legacy of Chola rule and Tamil civilisation.
The Prime Minister also thanked the Netherlands government and Leiden University for preserving the historical artefacts since the 19th century.
“These plates are a testimony to the greatness of the Cholas,” Modi said in his message while sharing photographs related to the handover ceremony.
The return of historical artefacts is being viewed as an important step in strengthening cultural ties between India and the Netherlands.
In recent years, India has intensified efforts to recover ancient idols, manuscripts and heritage objects that were taken abroad during colonial and post-colonial periods.
Officials believe the repatriation of the Chola copper plates will significantly contribute to historical research and preservation of India’s cultural heritage.
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