Sunday, November 17, 2013

Cheruk Tok Kun Relics


A shed to protect the relics


The boulder inside the shed

Cheruk Tok Kun Relics is in Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. It is located at the compound of the St. Anne's Church, Bukit Mertajam. The relics is a large granite boulder with carved inscription on it. The carving is believed to be the southernmost inscription found in this region. If Bujang Valley is Kingdoms are recorded as early as  2nd or 3rd century, Cheruk Tok Kun is carving is probably latter than that. The boulder was gazetted by Malaysian government on 1973. 

Inscription on the boulder

According to Dr Jayabarathi (renowned researcher in Malaysia), this inscription was probably carved around the 5th - 6th centuries.The script is Pre-Pallava and the language is Sanskrit. The inscriptions speaks about 'Thus vanquish, the enemies of King Ramaunnibha'.  

The Southeast Asian Archaeological Blog verifies that there are seven inscriptions all together on the boulder. One of the inscriptions translates as 'pratame vayasi' or in the time of youth. But the other  inscriptions that yet be translated.


St Anne Church, Bukit Mertajam

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