1 min readUpdated: May 16, 2026 03:00 PM ISTThe Netherlands has formally returned the 11th-century Anaimangalam copper plates to India, marking a significant milestone in the repatriation of colonial-era cultural artefacts. (Image via X: @narendramodi)The Netherlands has returned the 11th-century Anaimangalam copper plates to India. The plates are among the most important surviving records of the Chola dynasty. The return marks a major step in bringing back cultural artefacts taken during the colonial period. The development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Netherlands as part of his five nation tour.As per Customs Department, the Anaimangalam Copper plates are a pair of twenty one large plates and three small plates. The large plates were issued in honour of the great Chola King Rajaraja’s grants to a Buddhist vihara built at the Chola port town of Nagappattinam in Tamilnadu by Chulamanivarman, the Sailendra King of Southeast Asia. It appears that Kulothunga Chola, supposedly a descendant of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty, preferred the term sunkam which was widely prevalent in Deccan at that time. Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Advertisement