Telaga Batu inscription
Encyclopedia
Telaga Batu iscription is a 7th century Srivijaya
n inscription discovered in Sabokingking, 3 Ilir, Ilir Timur II, Palembang
, South Sumatra
around 1950s. The iscription is now displayed in National Museum of Indonesia
, Jakarta
, with inventory number D.155. In previous years around 30 Siddhayatra inscriptions was discovered around Southern Sumatra, all mainly mentioning about the Siddhayatra journey of Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, that according to Kedukan Bukit Inscription
took place around the year 605 Saka (683 AD). Today all of these Siddhayatra inscriptions is stored in National Museum of Indonesia.
The inscription was carved on an andesite stone measuring 118 cm tall and 148 cm wide. On top of it adorned with seven nāga
heads, and on the lower part there is somekind of waterspout tho channel the water probably poured during ceremonial allegiance ritual. The inscription was written with Pallava letters in Old Malay
language.
s casted upon everybody whom may committed treason against kadatuan of Srivijaya
or disobey the order of dātu. According to Casparis, the people, occupations or titles mentioned in this inscription was categorized as potentially dangerous people that might revolt against Srivijayan hegemony. In order to prevent possible uprisings, the ruler of Srivijaya thought it is important for them to be sworn to pledge their loyalty under the threat of curse.
These titles are mentioned: rājaputra (princes, lit: sons of king), kumārāmātya (ministers), bhūpati (regional rulers), senāpati (generals), nāyaka (local community leaders), pratyaya (nobles), hāji pratyaya (lesser kings), dandanayaka (judges), tuhā an vatak (workers inspectors), vuruh (workers), addhyāksi nījavarna (lower supervisors), vāsīkarana (blacksmiths/weapon makers), cātabhata (soldiers), adhikarana (officials), kāyastha (store workers), sthāpaka (artisans), puhāvam (ship captains), vaniyāga (traders), marsī hāji (king's servats), hulun hāji (king's slaves).
This curse inscription contains the most complete list of state officials. Because of this complex and stratified titles of state officials, some historian suggested that these titles only existed in the capital of the kingdom, thus insisted that the court of Srivijaya should be located in Palembang. However Soekmono suggested that this curse inscription should not be placed in the center of the court, because this inscription contains intimidation curse for anybody whom drohaka or committed the treasons against kadatuan, and he suggested that the capital of Srivijaya should be located in Minanga as mentioned in Kedukan Bukit Inscription
assumed around Candi Muara Takus
.
Srivijaya
Srivijaya was a powerful ancient thalassocratic Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia. The earliest solid proof of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671 for 6...
n inscription discovered in Sabokingking, 3 Ilir, Ilir Timur II, Palembang
Palembang
Palembang is the capital city of the South Sumatra province in Indonesia. Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, and has a history of being a capital of a maritime empire. Located on the Musi River banks on the east coast of southern Sumatra island, it has an area of 400.61 square...
, South Sumatra
South Sumatra
South Sumatra is a province of Indonesia.-Geography:It is on the island of Sumatra, and borders the provinces of Lampung to the south, Bengkulu to the west, and Jambi to the north...
around 1950s. The iscription is now displayed in National Museum of Indonesia
National Museum of Indonesia
The National Museum of Indonesia , is an archeological, historical, ethnological, and geographical museum located in Jakarta. Popularly known as Elephant Building after the elephant statue in its forecourt. Its broad and fascinating collections covers all of Indonesia's territory and almost all of...
, Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, with inventory number D.155. In previous years around 30 Siddhayatra inscriptions was discovered around Southern Sumatra, all mainly mentioning about the Siddhayatra journey of Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, that according to Kedukan Bukit Inscription
Kedukan Bukit Inscription
The Kedukan Bukit Inscription was discovered by the Dutchman M. Batenburg on 29 November 1920 at Kedukan Bukit, South Sumatra, on the banks of the River Tatang, a tributary of the River Musi. It is the oldest surviving specimen of the Malay language, in a form known as Old Malay. It is a small...
took place around the year 605 Saka (683 AD). Today all of these Siddhayatra inscriptions is stored in National Museum of Indonesia.
The inscription was carved on an andesite stone measuring 118 cm tall and 148 cm wide. On top of it adorned with seven nāga
Naga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
heads, and on the lower part there is somekind of waterspout tho channel the water probably poured during ceremonial allegiance ritual. The inscription was written with Pallava letters in Old Malay
Old Malay
The Old Malay language, also called Classical Malay, is the ancestor of the modern Malay language, including Indonesian and Malaysian. It developed in the now Melayu Kingdom of Sumatra. It was heavily influenced by Sanskrit and Kawi , and was grammatically quite similar to modern Malay.-Old...
language.
Interpretation
The text written upon the inscription is quite long, however the content is mainly mentioning about the curseCurse
A curse is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to some other entity—one or more persons, a place, or an object...
s casted upon everybody whom may committed treason against kadatuan of Srivijaya
Srivijaya
Srivijaya was a powerful ancient thalassocratic Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia. The earliest solid proof of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671 for 6...
or disobey the order of dātu. According to Casparis, the people, occupations or titles mentioned in this inscription was categorized as potentially dangerous people that might revolt against Srivijayan hegemony. In order to prevent possible uprisings, the ruler of Srivijaya thought it is important for them to be sworn to pledge their loyalty under the threat of curse.
These titles are mentioned: rājaputra (princes, lit: sons of king), kumārāmātya (ministers), bhūpati (regional rulers), senāpati (generals), nāyaka (local community leaders), pratyaya (nobles), hāji pratyaya (lesser kings), dandanayaka (judges), tuhā an vatak (workers inspectors), vuruh (workers), addhyāksi nījavarna (lower supervisors), vāsīkarana (blacksmiths/weapon makers), cātabhata (soldiers), adhikarana (officials), kāyastha (store workers), sthāpaka (artisans), puhāvam (ship captains), vaniyāga (traders), marsī hāji (king's servats), hulun hāji (king's slaves).
This curse inscription contains the most complete list of state officials. Because of this complex and stratified titles of state officials, some historian suggested that these titles only existed in the capital of the kingdom, thus insisted that the court of Srivijaya should be located in Palembang. However Soekmono suggested that this curse inscription should not be placed in the center of the court, because this inscription contains intimidation curse for anybody whom drohaka or committed the treasons against kadatuan, and he suggested that the capital of Srivijaya should be located in Minanga as mentioned in Kedukan Bukit Inscription
Kedukan Bukit Inscription
The Kedukan Bukit Inscription was discovered by the Dutchman M. Batenburg on 29 November 1920 at Kedukan Bukit, South Sumatra, on the banks of the River Tatang, a tributary of the River Musi. It is the oldest surviving specimen of the Malay language, in a form known as Old Malay. It is a small...
assumed around Candi Muara Takus
Candi Muara Takus
Muara Takus is a Buddhist temple complex, thought to belong to the Sriwijaya empire. It is situated in Kampar Regency in Riau province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Its surviving temples and other archaeological remains are thought to date to the eleventh and twelfth century AD...
.
See also
- Kedukan Bukit InscriptionKedukan Bukit InscriptionThe Kedukan Bukit Inscription was discovered by the Dutchman M. Batenburg on 29 November 1920 at Kedukan Bukit, South Sumatra, on the banks of the River Tatang, a tributary of the River Musi. It is the oldest surviving specimen of the Malay language, in a form known as Old Malay. It is a small...
- Kota Kapur InscriptionKota Kapur InscriptionKota Kapur Inscription is an inscription discovered in western coast of Bangka Island, offcoast South Sumatra, Indonesia, by J.K. van der Meulen in December 1892. It was named after "Kotakapur" village, the location where this archaeological findings were discovered. This inscription is using old...
- Talang Tuwo inscriptionTalang Tuwo inscriptionTalang Tuwo inscription is a 7th century Srivijaya inscription discovered by Louis Constant Westenenk on 17 November 1920 on the foot of Bukit Seguntang near Palembang.The inscription was discovered in good condition with clear inscribed scripts...