Many scholars have studied
the scripts that were found in Indonesia, for example
Prof. Krom, Prof. Kern, Prof Damais, Prof. Brandes,
Prof. Stutterheim, Prof. Goris, Prof. Calenfels, Prof.
Moens, and others. Indonesia entered their historical
period started from the finding of inscription of East
Kalimantan, in Kutai. Since this finding until the end
of 5th century the scripts found in Indonesia showing
the characteristic of Indian scripts, and it might came
together with the Hinduism or Buddhism in Indonesia.
The following description is based on the conclusion
by Prof. J.G. de Casparis one of the expert who studied
Indonesian culture seriously. Scripts found before second
half of 8th century:
Early Pallava scripts, which is basically agreed that
the scripts found on the Yupa ( stone pole ) in Kutai
represents the Pallava scripts. General shape of the
scripts is beautiful, although many strokes to long,
straight and vertical, with the straight angle, but
common expression of the scripts is round, and makes
a nice curve. Shape of the serifs, if the alphabet is
to be written with more than one vertical lines, it
will be put on the left vertically. The scripts having
horizontal line start are GA, SA, JA, BA, KHA, NA,DHA,
and LA. These are without serif. MA is written to small
and under the level of other scripts. T is expressed
with single spiral and the shape is the oldest one and
very close with Iksavakus from Andhara Pradesh, and
the scripts on inscription of Nagarjunakonda, inscription
of Badravarman in Cho Dinh at the end of 4th century.
The scripts on inscription of Cho Dinh have great similarity
with scripts on pillar inscription of Ruvanvalisaya
at Ameradhapura, Srilangka, which was issued by king
Buddhadasa in 337 - 365 AD.
Later Pallava Scripts
In this period appeared many modifications. It was probable
that this period is the birth of the system "same
height" of the scripts. Based on intensive study
in South India and South Asia it is possible that this
is from the period of 8th to 9th century. The script
showing a principle concept between which is the true
font, and which is as decoration or accessories. The
modification is observable on NA, LA, and KHA. Some
sample of these scripts were written on:
- Inscription of Tuk Mas near Magelang, near Yogyakarta. Prof. Krom analyzed
this as from the year of 680 AD
- Çriwijaya inscriptions which has the date respectively 683 AD, 684 AD, and 686 AD.
Early Kawi Scripts ( ça. 750 - 925 AD )
Prof. Kern wrote that Scripts of this period as belong
to the type of Vengi or Çera, but Prof. Krom considered
it as a development of Pallava scripts. A big different
from Pallava and Kawi is that Pallava scripts are carved
on stone ( lithography ) and Kawi is written on palm
leaves. The word " Kawi" means "writer",
but later it is used to refer both Old Javanese scripts
and Old Javanese language. The language itself picked
up a big number of Sanskrit vocabulary.
Old Kawi
The oldest Kawi scripts were found on a stele of a Ganesha
sculpture found at Plumpungan near Salatiga, Dinoyo
with the date of 760 AD. The most interesting character
of the scripts is double vertical lines, and is stoke
at the base. There are many inscriptions from this period,
one was found at Ligor, South Thailand, which is issued
by one of Sriwijaya king dated 775 AD a proof that Sriwijaya ever controled South Thailand.
Standard Form of Early Kawi
The scripts appeared during the rule of king Rakai Kayu
Wangi ( 856 - 882 AD), Which were written on bronze
plates and stone. At that time writing is fully functional,
without any accessory, regularity, balance of space,
and the use of serifs are consistent with all alphabets.
At the end of this period, on an inscription issued
by king Balitung ( 910 ), king Daksa ( 919 ) there arose
tendency to write angular and vertical.
Later Kawi Scripts ( ca. 925 - 1250 AD )
During this period 3 types of writings were found. First
is scripts from the period of King Daksa ( 910 - 921
AD ), King Tulodong ( 919 - 921 AD ), and King Wawa
( 921 - 929 AD ), and the last one was from King Sindok
( 929 - 947 AD). General impression of the scripts are
single line and very regular and functional. Second
type is originated from inscriptions of king Erlangga
( 1019 - 1042 AD ), and an inscription in Kalkutta dated
back 1041 AD. The character of the scripts is the balance
between functional and decoration. what is called quadrangular
scripts, with the widest use in Java. Some inscriptions
with this writing style such as Ganesha statue at Karangrejo
bearing the date 1124 AD, Gowa Gajah, and an inscription
found at the village of Ngantang bearing the date 1057
AD and mentions that the kingdom of Panjalu was victorious,
issued by king Jayabhaya. This king had a very famous
forecast about the future of Indonesia, in which some
aspect of his vision were proved to be correct.
Scripts from Majapahit Period ( ca. 1250 - 1450 AD )
During this period the type of scripts were various
and it looked to have developed locally. At least 7
types have been identified such as: ( 1 )
Scripts from King Kretarajasa dated back to 1292 AD,
( 2 ) Scripts from 1350 - 1450 AD is very ornamental,(
3 ) An inscription found in Cirebon and manuscripts
of Kunjarakarna, the Buddhist history. Most of the scripts
are single line, quadrangular, and simple cursives.(
4 ) Inscriptions issued by Pajajaran kingdom ( now
West Java or Sunda land ) using Sundanese language,
which based on it's contents and style can be associated
with the date of 1333 AD.
( 5 ) Scripts from West Sumatera near Bukit
Tinggi issued by King Adityawarman dated 1356 - 1375
AD. The type is closer to Majapahit compared to Pajajaran
The scripts are quadrangular, but the corner is made
round, not broken. ( 6 ) Arabic scripts
from 1297 AD issued by Sultan Malik Al Saleh, and a
Malay inscription from 1380 showing the influence of
Arabic style. ( 7 ) Inscriptions
found in Bali such as Cempaga C from 1324 AD and Panulisan
dated 1430 AD. The scripts is very beautiful and quarangular.
Later Nagari Scripts on Indonesian Inscriptions
The oldest Nagari scripts found in Indonesia have a
close relation with the scripts of Pala in North India.
In Java this type of scripts were used during the end
of 8th century. Most of the use is for the Buddhist
credo and written on a surface of a clay tablet put
in a stupa, the top of Buddhist temple. The credo reads
: ye hetu prabhawa dharma etc.. In Bali there were hundreds
of stupas found at Pejang area. One inscription from
the period of Kretanegara ( 1267 - 1292 AD ) chiseled
in the back of an Amogapasha statue shows a very close
relation with scripts of Chalukya in Gujarat, India
of 13th century such as the inscription of Bhimadeva
II. The style can not be compared to the finding in
South East Asia, since it was believed to be local development,
and was independent.
Indonesia's Script
from the Middle of 15th Century
It is very small number of inscriptions can be attributed
to the period around 1450 AD. Then is was followed by
a dark period until the end of 16th century. After this
dark period than suddenly found modern Javanese scripts.
This scripts is still being used until now with a very
small modification. Some inscriptions showing the type
of this writing is found at Suradakan dated back to
1447 AD, and one inscription very close to the end of
14th century is from Majapahit such as Trawulan V, and
a bronze plate found at Renek village, and Sendang Sedati
dated back to 1473 AD. The basic character of the script
is very ornamental, simple cursives, and quadrangular.
Some inscriptions found in central Java such as Candi
Sukuh dated back to 1439 and 1457 found at Ngadonan,
Salatiga, and one from Mount Merbabu, Semarang dated back 1449.
Current Indonesian Scripts
It is strange despite the fact that Indonesia has more
than 10 major ethnic group, there are only 2 ethnics
have been introducing writing that is Javanese and Balinese.
The scripts showing a very logical evolution from the
previous scripts ever existed in Indonesia such as mentioned
above. After 15th century as mentioned above was followed
by a dark period about the history of Indonesian writing,
no inscription was found as the missing link between
current period and 15th century. Most historians supposed
that since that decade that Indonesian writers used
perishable materials for their writing such as lontar
palm leaves so it would not last long. If
we compare the writing of Java and Bali with those now
used in Thailand and Cambodia, some showing similar
type, and we believe that these are originating from
the same roots that was weather Pallava, Vengi or Çera
scripts in India. Current Balinese scripts have different
style with Javanese in the overall style, Balinese scripts
are round, while Javanese scripts are quadrangular,
while the functional stroke can be traced as the same
symbolization. Following table is presented the type
of an alphabets or syllables so far found in the inscriptions
issued by kings of Indonesia from 5th century up today.
I Made Terima
February 2003
 |
