The Leiden copper plates are one of the first sources which gave a detailed understanding of the later Chola period.There are two parts of this, known as Bigger copper plates consisting of 21 plates & Smaller one, of 3 plates. These were deciphered in 1886 by Pandit Natesa Sastri 
It has the customary seal of Cholas, including a sitting Tiger, two lamps,etc. It has the words Aanaimangalam & describes the grants given by Rajaraja. It says that the ruler of Sri Vijayam (Indonesia), Sri Mara Vijayotungavarman approached Rajaraja for building a Buddha Vihara
Rajaraja gave him land in the Aanaimangalam village measuring about 450 acres & also gave tax exemption from the land revenue to Vihara. While Rajaraja gave verbal orders which was written in Palm leaves, it was his son Rajendra who ensured that it was inscribed in copper plates
The plates, in the usual way, has both Sanskrit (5 plates) & Tamil portions. It describes the Chola lineage right from Ikshvahu upto Rajendra. It details out the war campaigns undertook by Rajaraja. Then, it documents the details of the grant including the names of the officials
who authorised the allotment & exemptions. It must be noted that even though the King has given the orders, it must be singed off by all 41 officials to bring this into effect. It seems that it took about 9 years to built the Vihara after the land was allotted & both Rajaraja and
Vijayotungavarman were no more at that time, but Rajendra ensured that the grants are permanently inscribed to honour his fathers orders. The plates are in the Leiden Museum in Holland. It would be great if they were brought to India as they are important documents of our history
