Kota Kapur inscription facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kota Kapur Inscription |
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Kota Kapur inscription pinnacle
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| Material | Stone |
| Writing | Pallava script |
| Created | 28 February 686 CE |
| Discovered | December 1892 Bangka Island, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia |
| Discovered by | J.K. van der Meulen |
| Present location | National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta |
| Registration | D. 80 |
| Language | Old Malay |
The Kota Kapur Inscription is a very old stone carving found on the western coast of Bangka Island, near South Sumatra, Indonesia. It was discovered by J.K. van der Meulen in December 1892. The inscription is named after the village of Kota Kapur, which is where this important historical find was made.
This inscription uses the Old Malay language and is written in a special style called Pallava script. It is one of the oldest pieces of writing we have that shows the ancient Malay language. The stone is dated to February 28, 686 CE. It talks about curses for anyone who betrayed the powerful kingdom of Srivijaya. It also mentions the start of Srivijaya's attack on Java.
A Dutch expert named H. Kern first studied and dated the inscription. He worked for the Bataviaasch Genootschap in Batavia (now Jakarta). At first, he thought Srivijaya was the name of a king.
Later, a historian named George Cœdès realized the name on the inscription was for Srivijaya. This was a strong Buddhist kingdom that existed from 638 to 86 CE. At the time the inscription was made, Srivijaya had just taken control of the area around Jambi and Bangka Island. They were also getting ready to send their army to Java. This matches what the Chinese monk Yijing wrote about Srivijaya.
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What the Inscription Says
The Kota Kapur inscription is one of five important stone carvings ordered by Sri Jayanasa, who was the ruler of Srivijaya. Most of these inscriptions contain curses against people who committed crimes, trespassed, or betrayed Srivijaya. George Cœdès translated the words on the stone.
A Powerful Message
The inscription starts with a wish for "Success!" It then calls upon all powerful gods to protect the Kadatuan (palace or kingdom) of Srivijaya. It asks these gods to make sure the curses come true.
The stone warns that if anyone in the lands ruled by Srivijaya acts like a rebel, talks to rebels, or even knows about rebels, they will be punished. This includes anyone who is not loyal or grateful to the ruler or to the people he has appointed as "datu" (local leaders).
Curses for Disloyalty
The inscription states that anyone who does these bad deeds will die because of the curse. They might also be killed in a war led by Srivijaya's leaders against them. The curse also says that these people will be punished along with their whole family.
It also curses evil actions like:
- Disturbing others
- Making people sick
- Causing madness
- Using magic spells (mantra)
- Using poisons (like upas or tuba)
- Using love charms to force people
The inscription says that these bad deeds will not succeed and will instead harm the person who tried to do them. Anyone who spreads bad rumors to turn people against Srivijaya will also die from the curse.
Protection for the Loyal
The stone also curses anyone who tries to destroy the inscription itself. It says that all murderers, rebels, and those who are ungrateful or disloyal to the ruler will die because of this curse.
However, for those who obey and are loyal to the ruler and his appointed leaders, the inscription promises good things. It says that all their efforts will be blessed. Their families will also have success, good health, and be free from disasters. Their lands will have plenty of everything.
When it was Carved
The inscription was carved on the first day of the half moon in the month of Vaisakha, in the year 608 Saka. This date is February 28, 686 CE. The stone says that the carving happened when the Srivijaya army had just left to attack Java, because Java was not loyal to Srivijaya.
The Kota Kapur inscription is carved on a tall, multi-sided stone. It is about 177 centimeters (about 5.8 feet) tall. It is 32 centimeters (about 12.6 inches) wide at the bottom and 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) wide at the top.
Why it's Important
The Kota Kapur inscription was the very first Srivijayan inscription ever found. It was discovered long before the Kedukan Bukit Inscription (found in 1920) and the Talang Tuwo inscription (found just a few days earlier in 1920).
This inscription, along with other historical finds in the area, proves that the Srivijaya kingdom existed and was very powerful. It helped historians learn a lot about the Hindu-Buddhist period in that region. The inscription also showed that an ancient society lived there in the 6th and 7th centuries, and they were clearly influenced by Hindu and Buddhist beliefs.
See also
- Kedukan Bukit Inscription
- Telaga Batu inscription
- Talang Tuwo inscription
