Early Indian Colonies in Borneo
The earliest evidence, 400 A.D., of the Hindu colonisation in Borneo is furnished by four inscriptions. These were discovered in 1879 in the district of Koti (Kutei), at Muara Kamai on the Mahakam river, three days’ journey above Pelarang. The remains of a Chinese junk, found in the locality, mark it to be an important sea-port in old days, and that’ perhaps explains the early Hindu settlements there.
Three golden objects, including a Visirn(Vishnu?) image, were also found at Muara Hainan.(?) The inscriptions are engraved on stone pillars of about a man’s height. As the tops of the pillars were rounded the inscriptions clearly show that they were sacrificial pillars.
The following is a summary of these inscriptions
1. King Malavarman(King of Kuti in Borneo) has done many virtuous acts, gifts of animals, land, Kalpa-tree (?) and other things. Hence the Brahmans have set up pillar
2. King Kundunga (Dayak King name) had a famous son Asvavarman,(Sanscript or Indian name) who, like the son (Aririuman), was the originator of a family. Of the three sons of Asvavarman, the eldest was king Sri-Malavarman, noted for his living a simple life without physical pleasure who performed a sacrifice called Bahu-Suvarnakam (dedicated to finding much gold)This pillar of that sacrifice has been set up by the Brahmans.
3. The chief of kings, Malavarman, made a gift of20,000 cows to the Brahmans in the holy field of Vaprake Svara (A local form shiva). For that pious act this pillar (yupa) has been set up by the Brahmans who came here.
4. As from King Sagara (legenday King) is born King Sagar Bhagiratha(legendary king who brought the Ganges to earth)…….. Mslavarman…(the rest is illegible)
These inscriptions have been referred on paleographic grounds to about 400 A. D . The Hindus had established kingdoms in the eastern part of Borneo.
The Cave of Kombeng
Kombeng is situated considera bly to the north of Muara Kaman and to the east of the upper course of the Telen river. The cave consists of two chambers. In the back-chamber were found twelve sandstone images, pieces of carved stone, and a few half-decayed iron-wood beams. The images were Buddhist. They included those of Siva, and other Hindu gods. The preponderance of the images of Siva and Sivaite gods there being two images of Ganesh seems to indicate that the prevailing religion in that quarter was Saiva.(followers of Shiva)
The art work does not show any influence of Java or Bali influence meaning a steady stream from India to the area.
The Kapuas River
At various places on or near the bank of this river, we come across archaeological remains of the Hindu period which, taken together, imply a flourishing period of Hindu colonisation of fairly long duration.
Of special note
1. The Mukhaliriga at Sepauk, a stone lingga carved with a human figure. (this pushes Indian culture further west into Borneo)Found with it is a bull figure. It dates to the 600’s A.D.
2. A stone in the river-bed near Sanggau, containing two lines of writing in cursive script,
3. Seven inscriptions on a rock at Batu Pahat, near the springs of Sungei Tekarek, on carved figures, each of which depicts a staff with a succession of umbrellas at the top, and is thus possibly a miniature representation of a Stupa.
4. A. large number of golden plates, inscribed in old characters, found in a pot at the mouth of the Sampit river.
5. An inscription at Sang Belirang (?)
Here again, the Hindu civilization is to be traced direct from India, and not through Java, as the Mukhalinga and the figures at Batu Pahat are both un-Javanese.
From
Majumdar, R.C. ANCIENT INDIAN COLONIES IN THE FAR EAST Dacca: Asoke Kumar Majumdar, 1937
with special thanks to Veronica Chang Schmid
Compiled by Tom McLaughlin for BorneoHistory.net
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