Netherlands Hands Back Chola Dynasty Copper Plates To India, PM Modi Calls It ‘Joyous Moment’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony in the Netherlands marking the restitution of the 11th-century Chola Copper Plates to India. The return of the historic artefacts, also known as the Leiden Plates, highlights growing cultural cooperation between India and the Netherlands. India had been pursuing their repatriation since 2012. In a post on X, PM Modi called it a “joyous moment for every Indian” and said the copper plates reflect the greatness of the Chola dynasty and contain inscriptions largely in Tamil. The plates relate to Rajendra Chola I formalising a commitment made by his father Rajaraja I. Modi thanked the Dutch government and Leiden University for the gesture.