NEWS:  The artefacts have been in possession of Leiden University and are popularly known as Leiden copper platesà Two countries also elevated their relations to Strategic Partnership.

About Leiden Copper Plates

·         Consists ofà 21 large and 3 small copper plates fastened with a bronze ring bearing the seal of Chola king Rajendra Chola I and another set carrying the seal of Kulottunga Chola I.

·         Languageà Tamil and Sanskrit.

·         Brought to Netherlands in 1712 from Nagapattinam by Florentius Camper, a Dutch missionary, associated with Dutch East Indies Company. 

·         Provides insights into Chola Empire’s administration, taxation, land reforms, irrigation systems, and trade practices.

About Copper Plate Inscriptions

·         Official records engraved on copper sheets and usually tied together with a ring bearing the royal seal.

·         Usually recorded grants of land, lists of royal lineages carrying royal seal, religious grants, donations etc.

·         Earliest known copperplate inscription is Sogaura Copperplate of Mauryan Era mentioning hunger relief efforts (praktrit language and Brahmi script).

Majority of the copper plate inscriptions are concentrated in the southern states