Sojomerto inscription facts for kids
The Sojomerto inscription is an old stone carving found in Sojomerto village, which is in Batang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. It's written in Old Malay language using a special writing style called the Kawi script.
Experts first thought this inscription was from around the 7th century. But after studying the writing style more closely (this is called palaeography), they decided it was actually from the early 9th century. The inscription is still in its original spot where it was found.
The inscription talks about a noble family and is related to a religion called Shaivism, which worships the god Shiva. It mentions the head of a noble family named Dapunta Selendra. His father was Santanu, his mother was Bhadrawati, and his wife was Sampula. For a long time, some historians thought Dapunta Selendra might have been the ancestor of the Sailendra family, who were very powerful rulers in ancient Mataram and Srivijaya. However, more recent studies suggest that the name Selendra in this inscription probably has no connection to the famous Sailendra dynasty.
Contents
What is the Sojomerto Inscription?
The Sojomerto inscription is a very old piece of stone with writing carved into it. It helps us learn about the history and people of ancient Indonesia. It's special because it gives us clues about important families and their beliefs from a long time ago.
What Does it Look Like?
The inscription is carved on a stone made of andesite, which is a type of volcanic rock. The stone is about 43 centimeters (about 17 inches) wide, 7 centimeters (about 2.7 inches) thick, and 78 centimeters (about 30 inches) tall. There are 11 lines of text carved into the stone. However, many parts of the writing are hard to read because they have become unclear and worn away over time.
What Does the Inscription Say?
Even though some parts are hard to read, the main message of the Sojomerto inscription is clear. It is a prayer to the god Shiva and other gods. It also introduces a noble person and his family.
Here's what the English translation of the inscription says:
Praise to Lord Shiva Bhatara Parameshvara and all the gods ... from the honorable Dapunta Selendra Santanu is the name of his father, Bhadrawati is the name of his mother, Sampula is the name of the wife of noble Selendra.
Who was Dapunta Selendra?
The inscription tells us about Dapunta Selendra, who was a noble person. It names his father, mother, and wife. This information is important because it gives us a glimpse into the family structures and important people of that time. While some thought he was connected to the powerful Sailendra dynasty, new research suggests he might have been from a different noble family.
Other Important Inscriptions
The Sojomerto inscription is one of many ancient stone writings found in Indonesia. These inscriptions are like historical records carved in stone, giving us valuable information about past kingdoms, religions, and important events. Other famous inscriptions include:
- Canggal inscription (from 732 AD)
- Kalasan inscription (from 778 AD)
- Kelurak inscription (from 782 AD)
- Manjusrigrha inscription (from 792 AD)
- Karangtengah inscription (from 824 AD)
- Tri Tepusan inscription (from 842 AD)
