Inscriptions in Siam
Summary
The text discusses two main topics: inscriptions in Siam and Oriental research in Baroda. Regarding Siam, it details 210 inscriptions discovered by 1918, classified into six groups by geographical distribution and time period (6th–16th centuries), written in languages like Pali, Mon, Sanskrit, Khmer, and Siamese. These include inscriptions from Dvaravati, Lavo, Haripujaya, Sukhodaya, Yonaka, and Ayutthaya and Bangkok dynasties. Separately, it mentions a Ramdésvarasvami Temple inscription in Quilon (1103 CE) linked to the Calukya-Cola king Kulothunga I, noting a land grant as expiation ("garaakballa") for offenses against Aryas. It also references a manuscript, *Rawmavarma-Yatobhfizanant*, a reproduction of the 14th-century *Pratipa Rudripa* with verses praising Travancore king Rimavarma Dharmarija, and another work, *Kalpanam* (1733 CE), composed in Kollam. For Baroda, the text highlights Dr. Sir Sayaji Rao Gaekwad’s establishment of a Sanskrit section in 1914, his promotion of Sanskrit research, and the creation of the Gaekwad Oriental Series for publishing rare manuscripts. His librarian, C. D. Dalal, cataloged 3,155 manuscripts in Jaisalmer and Pattan but died in 1918 before completing the project, leaving 16 published works. The text also notes a 1924 German Orientalists’ conference discussion on Pali and Sanskrit texts’
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Conclusion
This study of Siamese inscriptions reveals significant historical and cultural intersections, particularly through expiatory land grants linked to political conflicts, such as the Calukya-Pandya wars, and the adaptation of literary works like the *Rawmavarma Yatobhfizanant*, which reflect the fusion of religious and royal ideologies. The classification of 210 inscriptions by era and language underscores Siam’s linguistic diversity, spanning Pali, Mon, Sanskrit, and Khmer, while highlighting the evolution of epigraphic practices. The analysis of manuscripts like *Kalpanam* further illustrates the interplay between regional literature and dynastic patronage. These findings not only enrich our understanding of Siam’s socio-political landscape but also emphasize the role of inscriptions as critical sources for tracing historical narratives and cultural exchanges in Southeast Asia.