Prasasti Karang Berahi, Stone inscription in Karang Berahi, Indonesia
Prasasti Karang Berahi is a stone inscription carved from andesite located in Karang Berahi, featuring text in ancient Malay script from the Srivijaya period. The square plaque measures approximately 90 centimeters in both height and width.
The inscription originates from 904 CE and records proclamations from the Srivijaya kingdom regarding loyalty to its rulers. Its discovery in 1904 by Controller L.M. Berkhout made it one of the key sources for understanding this ancient empire.
The carved text blends Sanskrit and old Malay language, showing how local traditions connected to the wider Southeast Asian world through writing and royal proclamations.
The site lies in Merangin Regency in Jambi Province and can be reached by following marked paths through the local settlement. Using a local guide is helpful for locating it precisely and learning more about the stone's significance.
The stone contains carved curses aimed at those who might defy royal authority, a protective measure echoed in similar inscriptions found elsewhere like Kota Kapur. These warnings were how rulers reinforced their power through written words.
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