ପିଏମଇଣ୍ଡିଆ

PM Modi presented PM Netanyahu replicas of 2 sets of relics from Kerala that, regarded as key artifacts in the long Jewish history in India. pic.twitter.com/OywLabMQoO

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

They comprise two different sets of copper plates that are believed to have been inscribed in 9-10th century C.E.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

The first set of copper plates is a cherished relic for the Cochini Jews in India. pic.twitter.com/ZcR2AmICyW

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

It is regarded as a charter describing the grant of hereditary royal privileges and prerogatives (1/2)

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

By the Hindu King, Cheraman Perumal (often identified as Bhaskara Ravi Varma) to the Jewish leader Joseph Rabban. (2/2)

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

According to traditional Jewish accounts, Joseph Rabban was later crowned as the Prince of Shingli, a place in or equated with Cranganore.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

Cranganore is where Jews enjoyed religious and cultural autonomy for centuries, before they moved to Cochin and other places in Malabar.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

Local Jews once placed in each coffin a handful of earth from Shingli/Cranganore that was remembered as a holy place & a “second Jerusalem”.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

The replica of these plates was made possible with the cooperation of the Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry, Kochi.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

The second set of copper plates is believed to be the earliest documentation of the history of Jewish trade with India. pic.twitter.com/GmWGQPHp1M

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

These plates describe the grant of land and tax privileges by the local Hindu ruler to a church. (1/2)

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

And oversight of trade in Kollam to West Asian and Indian trading associations. (2/2)

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

West Asian association included Muslims, Christians, Zoroastrians, as also a group of Jews. (1/2)

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

Who signed in Judeo-Persian and possibly also in Arabic and Pahlavi (Middle Persian). (2/2)

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

The plates bear their signatures that appear to have been cut into the plates by a local workman unfamiliar with the script.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

The replica of these plates was made possible with the cooperation of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Thiruvalla, Kerala.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

In addition, Prime Minister @narendramodi also presented PM @netanyahu a Torah scroll donated by the Paradesi Jewish community in Kerala. pic.twitter.com/xCDKBL2s3g

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

Handwritten over a hundred years ago, the scroll had been dedicated to the Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi that had been built in 1568.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

The Torah is enclosed on wooden staves in a wooden case adorned with silver sheets. (1/n)

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

And a metal crown covered in gold sheets in floral ornament style, bearing motifs typical of lamps and decorations of south India. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/KWNXltBYBY

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017