Telaga Batu inscription facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Telaga Batu inscription |
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| Material | Andesite |
| Size | 118 cm height, 148 cm width |
| Writing | Pallawa script in Old Malay |
| Created | 605 Saka (683 CE) |
| Discovered | Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Present location | National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta |
| Registration | D.155 |
The Telaga Batu inscription is a very old stone carving from the 7th century. It was found in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, around the 1950s. This important stone belongs to the ancient Srivijaya kingdom. Today, you can see it at the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta.
This inscription is one of about thirty "Siddhayatra" inscriptions found in Southern Sumatra. These stones all tell stories about a special journey. This journey was made by a leader named Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa in the year 683 CE. All these Siddhayatra inscriptions are now kept safe at the National Museum of Indonesia.
The Telaga Batu inscription is carved on a type of stone called Andesite. It is quite large, standing 118 centimeters (about 3.8 feet) tall and 148 centimeters (about 4.8 feet) wide. The top of the stone has seven carved heads of mythical snake-like creatures called nāga. At the bottom, there's a spout. This spout was likely used to pour water during a special ceremony. The words on the stone are written in an old writing style called Pallava script, using the Old Malay language.
What the Inscription Says
The writing on the Telaga Batu inscription is very long. However, many parts are hard to read. This is probably because the stone was used in a special ceremony. During this ceremony, people likely poured water over the words. This water would then flow down and out through the spout. People who swore loyalty to the king would drink this water.
Some parts of the inscription can still be read today. The words from the third to the fifth line are very important.
The Original Words
“kamu vanyakmamu, rājaputra, prostara, bhūpati, senāpati, nāyaka, pratyaya, hāji pratyaya, dandanayaka, ....murddhaka,tuhā an vatak, vuruh, addhyāksi nījavarna, vāsīkarana, kumaramatya, cātabhata, adhikarana, karmma...., kāyastha, sthāpaka, puhāvam, vaniyāga, pratisara, kamu marsī hāji, hulun hāji, wanyakmamu urang, niwunuh sumpah dari mangmang kamu kadaci tida bhakti di aku”.
What It Means
The inscription is like a powerful oath or warning. It lists many different types of people, from royal family members and leaders to workers and merchants. It tells them all that if they are not loyal to the king, bad things will happen to them because of the oath they made. It was a way to make sure everyone stayed true to the ruler.
See also
- Kedukan Bukit Inscription
- Kota Kapur Inscription
- Talang Tuwo inscription
