Sitopayan II inscription
Sitopayan II inscription is an inscription written in Proto Batak language[1] and using Old Batak characters.[1] The inscription was found at the Biaro (temple) Si Topayan, in Sitopayan village, Portibi District, North Padang Lawas Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia.[1][2] The inscription consists of two short lines, written on a horizontal side of the base of a stone idol.[2] F.D.K. Bosch thought that this inscription was made in the 13th century CE, based on the shape and characteristics of the script.[2]
The inscription mentioned four people who built a vihara for a king, whose names were Pu Sapta, Hang Buddhi, Sang Imba, and Hang Langgar.[2] The mentioning of three articles Hang, Sang, and Pu (Mpu) in the people names also reflects the characteristic habit of a Malay speaking people.[1]
Researcher Robert von Heine Geldern suspected that the writing on this inscription is a form of early Batak script. The writing is considered the earliest example of Batak writing, and may have a close relationship with the writings of the people in the interior of Sumatran mountains. Goris (1930) also speculated that the names of Sapta, Buddhi, Imba, and Langgar might be a chandrasangkala (chronogram), representing the numbers 7, 5, 1, and 1, which rises the suspicion that the Si Topayan temple and its surrounding area were built in 1157 Saka (1235 CE).[2]
Currently, the inscription is stored in the North Sumatra State Museum, with the inventory number 1517.2.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Nasoichah, Churmatin (2018-01-05). "Prasasti Sitopayan 1 & 2: Tinjauan Aspek Ekstrinsik dan Intrinsik". Berkala Arkeologi Sangkhakala (in Indonesian). 15 (1): 11–29. ISSN 2580-8907.
- ^ a b c d e f Susetyo, Sukawati (2010). Kepurbakalaan Padang Lawas, Sumatera Utara: Tinjuauan Gaya Seni Bangun, Seni Arca Dan Latar Keagamaan (PDF) (in Indonesian). Depok: Fakultas Ilmu Pengetahuan Budaya, Program Studi Arkeologi, Universitas Indonesia. pp. 209–210.