Kedukan Bukit inscription facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kedukan Bukit Inscription |
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The inscription displayed in the National Museum of Indonesia.
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| Material | Stone |
| Size | 45 cm × 80 cm (18 in × 31 in) |
| Writing | Pallava script |
| Created | 1 May 683 |
| Discovered | 29 November 1920 Kedukan Bukit, South Sumatra, Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) |
| Discovered by | M. Batenburg |
| Present location | National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta |
| Registration | D. 161 |
| Language | Old Malay |
Imagine finding a really old message carved into a stone! That's exactly what the Kedukan Bukit inscription is. It's a special stone carving found in South Sumatra, Indonesia. A Dutch explorer named C.J. Batenburg discovered it on November 29, 1920. He found it near the Tatang River, which flows into the big Musi River.
This inscription is super important because it's the oldest known example of the Malay language. It's written in a very old form called Old Malay. The stone itself is not very big, about 45 by 80 centimeters. The message on it tells us it was made on May 1, 683 CE. The writing style used is called Pallava script.
Contents
What the Inscription Says
The Kedukan Bukit inscription tells an exciting story from long ago. It talks about a leader named Dapunta Hiyang. He went on a special journey called a siddhayatra. This journey was meant to bring good luck and success.
The Journey Begins
The inscription says that on the 11th day of the month of Waisaka, Dapunta Hiyang started his trip. He traveled by boat, probably a dugout. Seven days later, on the 15th day of the month of Jyestha, he left a place called Minānga Tāmvan.
The Great Expedition
Dapunta Hiyang didn't travel alone. He brought a huge army with him! The inscription mentions 20,000 soldiers. They also had 200 chests full of supplies on their boats. Plus, there were 1,312 foot soldiers who walked alongside them.
They all traveled together and arrived at the upstream part of a place called Upang. Everyone was very happy when they got there.
Building a New Place
Later, on the 15th day of the month of Asadha, they easily and happily started to build a new settlement. The inscription ends with a powerful message. It wishes for the great Srivijaya kingdom to be successful and prosperous forever.
Here is the English translation of the inscription:
Om swasti astu! All hail and prosperity. In the year 605 of the Saka calendar, on the eleventh day at half-month of Waisaka, Sri Baginda took dugouts in order to obtain siddhayatra. On Day 7, on the 15th day at half-month of Jyestha, Sri Baginda extricated himself from minānga tāmvan. He took 20,000 troops with him ... as many as 200 in dugouts, with 1,312 foot soldiers. They arrived at ... Truly merry on the fifteenth day of the half-month..., agile, happy, and they made a trip to the country ... Great Sriwijaya! Prosperity and riches ...
Why is it Important?
The Kedukan Bukit inscription is a key piece of history. It helps us understand the early days of the Malay language. It also gives us clues about the powerful Srivijaya kingdom. This kingdom was very important in Southeast Asia a long time ago. The inscription shows how people lived, traveled, and even fought battles in the 7th century.
See also
- Telaga Batu inscription
- Kota Kapur Inscription
- Talang Tuwo inscription
- Laguna Copperplate Inscription
- History of Indonesia
- Timeline of Indonesian history
