Kingdom of Srivijaya
Srivijaya is an ancient Malay kingdom on the island of Sumatra which has much influence on
Malay archipelago. The earliest evidence of the existence of this kingdom comes from the 7th century.
a Chinese priest, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671
for 6 months. The first inscription is the Kedukan Bukit Inscription in Palembang, Sumatra, at
683. This kingdom began to fall in 1200 and 1300 due to various factors,
including the expansion of the Majapahit empire. In Sanskrit, sri means "to shine" and
wijaya means "victory"
Around 1992 to 1993, Pierre-Yves Manguin proved that the center
Srivijaya is on the Musi River between Bukit Seguntang and Sabokingking (located at
South Sumatera Province).
Some historical sources related to Sriwijaya:
Chinese news source
- Chronicles of the Tang Dynasty
- Chronicles of the Sung Dynasty
- Chronicles of the Ming Dynasty
- Tsing I Travel Chronicles
- Chu-fan-chi Chronicle by Chau Ju-kua
Tao Chih Lio's Chronicle by Wang Ta Yan
- Chronicles of Ling-wai Tai-ta by Chou Ku Fei
- Ying-yai Sheng-lan's Chronicle by Ma Huan
Ancient Malay inscriptions
- Kedukan Bukit inscription dated June 16, 682 AD in Palembang
- Talang Tuo inscription dated March 23, 684 AD in Palembang
- Telaga Batu inscription of the 7th century AD in Palembang
- Karang Brahi inscription of the 7th century AD in Jambi
- Kapur City inscription on February 28, 686 AD in Bangka Island
- Ligor inscriptions in Thailand
- Nalanda inscription in India
This kingdom is the center of trade and is a maritime country. This kingdom
consists of three main zones - the estuary capital area centered on Palembang, the valley
Musi River which functions as a support area and rival estuary areas
which is able to become the center of rival power. The upstream area of the Musi river is rich in variety
valuable commodity for Chinese traders. The capital is directly governed by
the ruler, while the supporting area remains governed by the local community.
Domestic sources come from inscriptions made by kings of
Kingdom of Srivijaya. The inscriptions include:
Cretaceous Inscription
This inscription is the oldest, dated 682 AD, tells about the story
Dapunta Hyang's holy journey from Minana by boat, with two laksa (20,000)
soldiers and 200 crates of supplies, as well as 1,213 soldiers on foot.
Kedukan Bukit Inscription
The inscription dated 683 AD mentioned that the king of Srivijaya was named
Dapunta Hyang who brought an army of 20,000 people managed to subdue
Minangatamwan. With that victory, the Srivijaya Kingdom prospered. Area which is
Minangatamwan meant that it was likely the Binaga area located in Jambi.
The area is very strategic for trade
Talangtuo inscription
The 684 AD inscription mentions the creation of the Srikesetra Park
by order of King Dapunta Hyang.
Karang Berahi Inscription
The 686-AD inscription was found in the interior of Jambi, which is
demonstrates Srivijaya's control over the area.
Ligor inscription
The inscription dated to 775 AD mentions about the capital city of Ligor with a purpose
to oversee trade shipping in the Malacca Strait.
Nalanda Inscription
The inscription mentions King Balaputra Dewa as the last King of the Dynasty
Syailendra who was driven out of Central Java due to his defeat against the Kingdom of Mataram
from the Sanjaya Dynasty. In the inscription, Balaputra Dewa asked King Nalanda to
recognize their rights to the Kingdom of Syailendra. In addition, this inscription also mentions
that Raja Dewa Paladewa was pleased to free 5 villages from taxes to finance
Srivijaya students studying at Nalanda.
Telaga Batu Inscription.
This inscription was found around Palembang in 1918 AD
the slab approached the pentagon, on which were seven cobra heads, in shape
small bowl with a drain (small mouth through which water comes out) underneath. According to para
archaeologist, this inscription was used for the implementation of the oath ceremony of loyalty and obedience
prospective officials. In the procession, officials who are sworn in drink water that is flowed to
stone and out through the spout. As a means for slaughter ceremonies, inscriptions
as it is usually placed at the center of the kingdom, Palembang is strongly suspected
the center of the Srivijaya Kingdom
The inscriptions from the Kingdom of Srivijaya mostly use letters
Pallawa and Old Malay language.
Economic, Political, Social and Cultural Life
The economy
According to foreign records, Srivijaya Earth produced several of them,
namely cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper, areca nut, agarwood, sandalwood, camphor,
ivory, lead, gold, silver, ebony, sapphire wood, spices and sea turtles.
the goods are sold or bartered with katu cloth, silk and porcelain through relationships
trade with China, India, Arabia and Madagascar.
Political
To expand the influence of the kingdom, the method used is to do
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