Elements of South-Indian Palæography, from the Fourth to the Seventeenth Century A.D. c11.6

c11.6

These three inscriptions are, unquestionably, the oldest that have been as yet found in the Sunda Islands. Profr. Kern puts the first at about 450 A. D., and it appears to me probable that the third may be of about 600 A. D. With these inscriptions in view, it is impossible to doubt the general truth of the Java tradition which derives the civilization of the islands from Kaliṅga[^3), and this is rendered more certain by the name Pūrṇa Varmā; for varmā was in general use as a title by the Veṅgi and Pallava kings, and by them only, of all the dynasties then reigning in India which could possibly have fitted out an expedition to Java. The title 'varmā' is (according to Hindu law-books) a proper one for Xattriyas; but it was very little used in S. India, except by the Veṅgi-Pallavas.