Plumpungan Inscription

Traces of Civilization's Dawn in Salatiga City: Exploring the History of the Plumpungan Inscription

Prasasti Plumpungan is not merely an ancient, silent andesite stone fragment in the corner of Dukuh Plumpungan, Kelurahan Kauman Kidul, Kecamatan Sidorejo. For the people of Central Java, especially the residents of Salatiga City, this inscription is the "birth certificate" that legitimizes the existence of one of the oldest administrative regions in Indonesia. As a monumental historical site, Prasasti Plumpungan holds narratives about the political policies, religious structures, and social wisdom of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom era.

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Origin and Historical Dating

Prasasti Plumpungan, also known as Prasasti Hampran, is written using Old Javanese script (Kawi) and Sanskrit. Based on epigraphic analysis, this inscription dates back to July 24, 750 AD (or the year 672 Saka). This very specific date was obtained from the conversion of the calendar inscribed on the stone, which was later established through Regional Regulation of Level II Salatiga City Number 15 of 1995 as Salatiga City's anniversary.

This establishment makes Salatiga one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, even older than other major cities on the island of Java. This inscription emerged during the reign of King Bhanu, a ruler from the Sailendra Dynasty who held power in central Java before the rise of Borobudur's glory.

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Architectural Characteristics and Construction Details

Unlike large inscriptions often found in the form of neat steles (lingga), Prasasti Plumpungan is carved on a large, natural andesite stone of the river stone type. This stone measures approximately 170 cm in length and 160 cm in width, with a circumference of up to 5 meters. The surface of the stone is not perfectly flattened, indicating that the carver utilized the natural contours of the stone to immortalize the king's message.

The writing on the inscription is arranged in several circular lines that follow the physical form of the stone. The carving technique demonstrates a high level of skill in the use of metal chisels at that time. Around the main stone, the site environment has now been arranged with a canopy (protective roof) to shield the stone from weathering due to extreme weather, but the original position of the stone has been maintained in its original location (in situ).

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Historical Significance: Establishment of a Tax-Exempt Region (Sima)

The main content of Prasasti Plumpungan is about the establishment of a region named Hampran as a Sima region or a tax-exempt region (free from taxes). In the political structure of Ancient Java, Sima status was a special grant from the king to the people of a region due to their extraordinary services to the kingdom or because of the presence of a sacred place that must be protected.

The key sentence in this inscription reads: "Srir Astu Swasti Prajabhyah", which means "May Happiness and Safety be Upon All People." This expression reflects a progressive leadership vision in the 8th century, where the welfare of the people was the ruler's top priority. With Sima status, residents in the Hampran region (ancient Salatiga) were no longer obliged to pay tribute to the kingdom's center, but instead, the resources were allocated for the maintenance of sacred buildings and local prosperity.

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Figures and Context of the Sailendra Dynasty's Rule

The main figure associated with this inscription is King Bhanu. Although historical records about King Bhanu are not as numerous as those of later Sailendra descendants like Rakai Panangkaran, Prasasti Plumpungan serves as authentic evidence that the foothills of Mount Merbabu had already become an organized center of civilization since the mid-8th century.

The existence of this inscription also indicates religious syncretism or at least strong religious tolerance. Although the Sailendra Dynasty is identical with Mahayana Buddhism, the use of Sanskrit and the sentence structure in the inscription show the strong influence of Indian-Hindu culture in the administration. The Salatiga region at that time was likely a fertile agricultural area and a strategic route connecting the inland areas (Magelang/Yogyakarta) with the northern coastal areas.

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Cultic and Religious Dimensions

Religiously, the establishment of tax-exempt regions was usually related to the existence of a caitya or place of worship. The people around Plumpungan at that time were believed to have a spiritual obligation to maintain the sanctity of the region. To this day, the Plumpungan site is still considered sacred by some communities. Pilgrimage traditions and ancestral veneration rituals are often performed, especially leading up to the anniversary of Salatiga City. This indicates that the site's function has shifted from an administrative document to a symbol of cultural and spiritual identity.

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Conservation Status and Preservation Efforts

Currently, the Prasasti Plumpungan Site is under the supervision of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region IX and the Salatiga City Government. The site has been fenced and equipped with information boards explaining the brief history of the inscription in Indonesian and English.

The main challenge in preservation is natural factors. Because it is located in an open area, the andesite stone is susceptible to moss growth and surface peeling due to temperature changes. Periodic restoration efforts are carried out with safe chemical cleaning to prevent the Kawi script from becoming more worn. The local government also continues to promote this site as a historical-educational tourist destination to foster awareness among the younger generation about their historical roots.

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Unique Facts and Conclusion

One unique fact about Prasasti Plumpungan is the name "Salatiga," which is said to originate from an event in later times (Legend of Ki Ageng Pandanaran), but its legal administrative basis still refers to this stone. Furthermore, Prasasti Plumpungan is one of the few inscriptions in Java that explicitly prays for the collective happiness of the people, not just the worship of gods or kings.

As a historical heritage, Prasasti Plumpungan is a living monument that proves that since 1,200 years ago, the people in this region have known a legal system, tax administration, and had a vision of social welfare. Preserving this site is not just about caring for a stone, but about preserving the collective memory of the glory of civilization's dawn in Java.