History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c7.s8.21

v1.c7.s8.21

Palaeographic evidences of the early use of the decimal place-value system of notation are found in the Hindu colonies of the Far East.¹ The most important ones among these are the three inscriptions of Śrîvijaya, two found at Palembang in Sumatra, and the third in the island of Banka. These contain the dates 605, 606 and 608 of the Śaka Era (corresponding respectively to A.D. 683, 684 and 686) written in numerical figures. Another instance giving the date 605 Śaka is the inscription of Sambor in Cambodia. In an inscription at Po Nagar in Champa, occurs the date 735 Śaka (= 813 A.D.).