Repatriation of Leiden Copper Plates (Anaimangalam Charter)

Why in News?

Netherlands has returned Chola era Anaimangalam Copper Plates also known as the leiden Copper Plates to India as a gesture of cultural diplomacy & heritage.

Highlights of the Plate

• Plate Records- Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola I (985 – 1014CE) gave land grant of Anaimangalam village (near Nagapattinam) to Buddhist Monastery.
• Grant- Was made for Chulamanivarma Vihara (knows as Raja Raja Cholan Perumpalli)
• Geopolitical Connection – King Sri Mara Vijayotunga Varman of Saikendra Dynasty of Srivijaya (Java/Indonesia) constructed this vihara in honor of his father Sri Chudamani Varman.
• Religious Harmony - The charter stands as an outstanding historical testament to secular statecraft, illustrating how devout Saivite (Hindu) monarchs actively patronized and protected Buddhist institutions.

Chronology of Implementation.

• Raja Raja Chola I – Initial Oral Decree for the land grant was issued.
• Rajandra Chola I (1014 -1044 AD) – Committed his Fathers oral command in writing.  It Constitutes 21 Larger Leiden Plates 5 in Sanskrit & 16 in Tamil.
• Kulottunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE) – Issued 3 smaller leiden Plates on appeal by 2 emissaries from Java, Confirming additional grants of land & 4500 Kalam (Traditional Unit of Measurement) of Paddy to the Buddhist Sanga.
• This was in addition to Raja Raja Chola I’s grant of 8,943 kalam of paddy.

Features of the Plate  –

• Seal – With a Massive bronze Ring, Plates are strung together with a secured Chola Royal Seal.
• Dynastic Hegemony – Seal features Tiger (Emblem of Cholas) Flanked by 2 fish (Emblem of Pandyas) & Bow (Emblem of Cheras). Inclusion of all 3 symbols shows Cholas supremacy over
• Dynastic Hegemony - The insignia features the Tiger (the dynastic emblem of the Cholas) flanked by Two Fish (the emblem of the Pandyas) and a Bow (the emblem of the Cheras). The inclusion of all three symbols in one seal, signifies Chola imperial suzerainty over other kingdoms.
• The seal also displays a royal parasol, 2 Chamaras (Fly –Whisks), Lamps, a swastika, the word Anaimangalam in Tamil & Sanskrit Sloka Praising the Monarch.

Future Repatriation

Experts believe in repatriation of Velvikkudi Copper plates from British Museum.

• Historical Significance - The Velvikkudi plates belong to the Pandya dynasty, issued by ruler Parantaka Nedunchadaiyan (765–815 CE), and are a vital source for reconstructing land tenure systems.

For reference: The Hindu | IAS Parliament