Bring Anaimangalam Chola-era copper plates to Tamil Nadu for public display, say political party leaders

Chennai: Several political party leaders in Tamil Nadu have demanded that the Anaimangalam Chora-era copper plates be brought to the state for public display.

The copper plates pertain to Rajendra Chola I's period and are a decree originally issued by his father Raja Raja Chola I. They were recently presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to The Hague.

The Leiden University Library, the Netherlands, on May 16 restituted the 11th century Chola copper plates, containing texts in Tamil and Sanskrit. The set of 21 large plates and 3 small plates are royal charters issued by Chola Kings during the 11th century CE, formalising gifting of Anaimangalam village to a Buddha vihara called Chulamanivarma-vihara in Nagapattinam in the state.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko appealed to both the Centre and state governments to ensure the copper plates were preserved and displayed at the Nagapattinam museum.

“The plates issued during the reign of Kulathunga Chola I confirmed grants made earlier to a Buddhist vihara, a monastery. Historians do not regard these inscriptions merely as administrative records, but they describe them as important evidence of the multicultural character and extensive maritime trade connections of Tamil Nadu in medieval southern India,” Vaiko said in a statement here on Sunday.

CPI (M) Lok Sabha MP Su Venkatesan said 654 antiques from several countries, including the United States, had been brought back to India and kept at Purana Quila in New Delhi.

“But they are not on display for people. The Anaimangalam copper plates could meet the same fate. Hence, they should be brought to Tamil Nadu and handed over to the state Archaeology Department,” he said in a statement.

Chairman of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Development Council R Komagam said the Anaimangalam copper plates should be brought to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, which served as a capital of the Chola dynasty for nearly three centuries from the reign of Rajendra Chola I and placed for permanent public display.

Former minister for archaeology and Tamil Culture Thangam Thenarasu said the plates should be displayed in Tamil Nadu “to whom their history truly belongs.” Anaimangalam, a village, is located in Kilvelur in Nagapattinam district and is located about 19 km from the district headquarters.

Chudamani Vihara, a Buddhist monastery was constructed in 1,006 CE by Srivijayan king Sri Vijaya Maravijayattungavarman with the patronage of Raja Raja Chola I. Since 1856, about 350 Buddha bronzes have been found in Nagapattinam, an official said.