Netherlands returns Chola-era Anaimangalam copper plates to India

The Netherlands has returned the historic Anaimangalam copper plates to India, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cultural relations between the two countries.

The return of the artefacts coincided with the visit of Narendra Modi to the Netherlands during his five-nation diplomatic tour.

About the Anaimangalam Copper Plates

The Anaimangalam copper plates are regarded as one of the most important surviving records of the Chola dynasty.

According to the Customs Department in Chennai, the collection consists of:

• 21 large copper plates
• 3 smaller copper plates

The inscriptions were issued to commemorate grants made by the famous Chola ruler Rajaraja I to a Buddhist vihara (monastery) located at Nagapattinam, an important Chola port town.

Connection with Southeast Asia

The Buddhist vihara was constructed by Chulamanivarman, a ruler of the Sailendra dynasty of Southeast Asia.

The inscriptions highlight the close maritime, cultural, and commercial ties between the Chola Empire and the Sriwijaya Empire, which extended across Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

The donation made by Rajaraja I reflects the religious tolerance of the Chola ruler, who permitted a Malay Buddhist ruler to establish a sanctuary at Nagapattinam, then a major trading centre on the Coromandel Coast.

Language and Content of the Inscriptions

The inscriptions on the copper plates are written in both Sanskrit and Tamil.

According to Leiden University:

• The Sanskrit portion traces the genealogy of the Chola dynasty, linking it to the mythical lineage associated with the Hindu god Vishnu.
• The Tamil section records the achievements of Rajaraja I and mentions the grant of the revenue of an entire village to the Buddhist pagoda during the 21st year of his reign.

The inscriptions also mention Kulothunga Chola, who is believed to have descended from the Eastern Chalukya dynasty and is associated with the use of the term “sunkam”, commonly used in the Deccan region during that period.

Historical Significance

The Anaimangalam copper plates provide valuable insights into:

• Chola administration and land grants
• Maritime trade networks
• India–Southeast Asia cultural relations
• Religious coexistence during the Chola period
• Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptional traditions.

Source: IE