At the time we mention Sumatra here, then is meant is the origin of Sumatra. That is a region situated in northeast Sumatra, now is the North Aceh district and the town of Lhokseumawe in Aceh, where was the royal capital of Sumatra in ancient times. The natives there, more often call it the kingdom of Samudra Pasai.
A reason which led to Sumatra later became the name of the island is due to the kingdom of Sumatra is a great maritime empire in the Strait of Malacca. As is known, that the Malacca Strait is the most important shipping lanes and trade in the world from ancient times until today. In the past, the path was called maritime Silk Road, which connects countries in the west and in the east of the world.
Sumatra (kingdom) is a largest trading town at this point where the traders from the east (China) and west (Arabic, Persian, Indian) come together and run their business. Therefore, the various commodities produced in the archipelago, will be brought to Sumatra, and marketed.
From here that Sumatra gained his popularity, and everyone from around the world who want to visit one of the places in this great island, they said, would go to Sumatra. Thus, in nautical terms in ancient times, a large island that situated in western part of Southeast Asia's most is identified with Sumatra (kingdom).
For more about the importance of the kingdom and the royal capital of the kingdom in ancient times, please read The Suma Oriental of Tomé Pires on the link above.
Sumatran history as an ancient kingdom is often a topic of studies by scholars of history, but the fundamental issues in the review is the scarcity of authentic source. Has been a long time, as recognized by historians, the history of this kingdom are in opacity even very well known and often discussed in the maritime history of the world.
No doubt there is a discontinuity that is no less severe than discontinuity Europeans in the Middle Ages with their past in the days of Ancient Greek civilization. Muslims in the East, especially in the days of the Abbasid dynasty has given Europeans an interconnectedness back with their Greek predecessors so came the Renaissance in the 16th century.
Similarly, the new generation of Sumatra (or today, Aceh), they suffered discontinuity with the past era of their history. What do they know about the past is vague and not light.
So here lies the importance of ancient gravestones in Sumatra. Besides being a marker of the life that has passed, the gravestones also featured the various cultural creations, that they had created, which by itself introduce what they have of ideas, perspectives, and cultural characteristics that they build. Has been a long time, as recognized by historians, the history of this kingdom are in opacity even very well known and often discussed in the maritime history of the world.
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The epigraphy on the stones is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
So good to read your opinion, @yasemin-gencer... We know you are an expert in this field. We hope, we can share more information in the future. Thanks.
I look forward to seeing what else you uncover and post. Thanks again for sharing and exposing these wonderful materials to the world:)
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