Image title: Trilingual Slab Inscription

English text:

Replica of the Trilingual Slab Inscription (1411 AD) —
Original slab on display at the National Museum, Colombo —
Trilingual Slab Inscription — This unique stone slab inscription was discovered from the Chinese court within the Galle Fort in 1911 by the then District Agent, M.F. Tomlin. It is inscribed with Persian (Arabic script), Chinese and Tamil languages. This has been written in the tenth regnal year of Chinese Emperor Ying Lo (1409 February 02) and was installed in Galle by Chinese Admiral Zheng He'in 1411.

This proves his visit to Galle during one of his five visits to Sri Lanka and the inscription was installed during his second visit. In the Tamil version of this slab, mention is made of a list of ritual objects sent to Sri Lanka in order to obtain the blessings of Nayanar (Vishnu), who is believed to be god Upulvan of Devinuvara shrine.

Among the offering objects included 1,000 gold coins, 5,000 silver coins, 50 silk rolls of different colours, 50 rolls of Taffeta cloth material, gold worked flags, gold plaited brass flower vases, candles and candle stands, brass lamps, perfumes and 2,500 gold lotus flowers.

This inscription provides significant evidence to indicate the religious and trade relationships maintained between China and Sri Lanka in the early years of the 14th century AD.

Sinhala text (not proofread):

ත්‍රෛභාෂා ශිලා ලේඛනයේ අනුරුවක් (ක‍්‍රි.ව. 1411) —
මෙහි මුල් ලේඛනය කොළඹ ජාතික කෞතුකාගාරයේ ප්‍රදර්ශනය කෙරේ —
ත්‍රෛභාෂා පුවරු ශිලා ලේඛනය — ක්‍රි.ව. 14 වන සියවසේ මුල් වකවානුවේ ලංකාව හා චීනය අතර පැවති ආගමික හා වෙළඳ සම්බන්ධතා පිලිබඳව ඇති ඉතා වැදගත් සාධකයක් වන මෙම ශිලා ලේඛනය ගාල්ල නගරයේ චීන කොරටුව නමින් හඳුන්වනු ලබන ස්ථානයෙන් සොයාගන්නා ලද්දේ 1911 වර්ෂයේ දී එවකට දිස්ත්‍රික් ඒජන්තවරයා වූ එම්.එෆ්. ටොමලින් විසිනි. මෙය පර්සියානු (අරාබි අක්ෂර), චීන හා දෙමළ යන භාෂාත්‍රයෙන් ලේඛනගත කොට ඇත. මෙම ශිලා ලේඛනය යිං ලෝ නම් චීන අධිරාජයාගේ දසවන වර්ෂයේ දී (1409 පෙබරවාරි 02 දින) ලියා ඇති අතර, එය ගාල්ලේ ස්ථාපිත කර ඇත්තේ 1411 දී සොංග් හේ නමැති චීන නාවුක අද්මිරාල්වරයා (1371 - 1435) විසිනි. සුප්‍රකට මුහුදු සංචාර හතක යෙදුන මොහු ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ගාලු වරායටද පැමිණි බව මෙමගින් සනාථ වේ. මෙම ලිපිය පිහිටුවා ඇත්තේ ඔහුගේ දෙවැනි නාවුක සංචාරයේ දීය.

මෙහි දෙමළ ලේඛනයේ "නයනාර්" (විෂ්ණු) දෙවිඳුන්ගේ ආශිර්වාදය ලබා ගැනීම සඳහා එම දෙවිඳුන් වෙත එවන ලද පූජා භාණ්ඩ පිළිබඳව සඳහන් වේ. මෙම දෙවිඳු දෙව්නුවර උපුල්වන් දෙවිඳු බව විශ්වාස කෙරේ.

පූජා කරන ලද භාණ්ඩ අතර, රන් 1000 ක් රිදී 5000 ක් විවිධ වර්ණ වලින් යුතු සේද රෙදි රෝල් 50 ක්, ටැපටා රෙදි රෝල් 50 ක් ද, රන්කමින් වැඩ දැමූ කොඩි, රන් ආලේප කළ පිත්තල මල් පෝච්චි, ඉටිපහන්, ඉටි පහන් ආධාරක, පිත්තල පහන්, සුවඳ විලවුන් හා රන් නෙළුම් මල් 2500 ක් ආදියද වේ

Transcription:

traĩbhāṣā śilā lēkhanayē anuruvak (kari.va. 1411) —
mehi mul lēkhanaya koḷaḅa jātika kautukāgārayē pradarśanaya kerē —
traĩbhāṣā puvaru śilā lēkhanaya — kri.va. 14 vana siyavasē mul vakavānuvē laṅkāva hā chīnaya atara pævati āgamika hā veḷanda sambandhatā pilibandava æti itā vædagat sādhakayak vana mema śilā lēkhanaya gālla nagarayē chīna koraṭuva namin handunvanu labana sthānayen soyāgannā laddē 1911 varṣayē dī evakaṭa distrik ējantavarayā vū em.ef. ṭomalin visini. meya parsiyānu (arābi akṣara), chīna hā demaḷa yana bhāṣātrayen lēkhanagata koṭa æta. mema śilā lēkhanaya yiṅ lō nam chīna adhirājayāgē dasavana varṣayē dī (1409 pebaravāri 02 dina) liyā æti atara, eya gāllē sthāpita kara ættē 1411 dī soṅg hē namæti chīna nāvuka admirālvarayā (1371 - 1435) visini. suprakaṭa muhudu saṅchāra hataka yeduna mohu śrī laṅkāvē gālu varāyaṭada pæmiṇi bava memagin sanātha vē. mema lipiya pihiṭuvā ættē ohugē devæni nāvuka saṅchārayē dīya.

mehi demaḷa lēkhanayē "nayanār" (viṣṇu) devindungē āśirvādaya labā gænīma sandahā ema devindun veta evana lada pūjā bhāṇḍa piḷibandava sandahan vē. mema devindu devnuvara upulvan devindu bava viśvāsa kerē.

pūjā karana lada bhāṇḍa atara, ran 1000 k ridī 5000 k vividha varṇa valin yutu sēda redi rōl 50 k, ṭæpaṭā redi rōl 50 k da, rankamin væḍa dæmū koḍi, ran ālēpa kaḷa pittala mal pōchchi, iṭipahan, iṭi pahan ādhāraka, pittala pahan, suvanda vilavun hā ran neḷum mal 2500 k ādiyada vē

Transcription:

traibhasha shila lekhanaye anuruvak (kari.va. 1411) —
mehi mul lekhanaya kolaḅa jatika kautukagaraye pradarshanaya kere —
traibhasha puvaru shila lekhanaya — kri.va. 14 vana siyavase mul vakavanuve lankava ha chinaya atara pavati agamika ha velanda sambandhata pilibandava ati ita vadagat sadhakayak vana mema shila lekhanaya galla nagaraye china koratuva namin handunvanu labana sthanayen soyaganna ladde 1911 varshaye di evakata distrik ejantavaraya vu em.ef. tomalin visini. meya parsiyanu (arabi akshara), china ha demala yana bhashatrayen lekhanagata kota ata. mema shila lekhanaya yin lo nam china adhirajayage dasavana varshaye di (1409 pebaravari 02 dina) liya ati atara, eya galle sthapita kara atte 1411 di song he namati china navuka admiralvaraya (1371 - 1435) visini. suprakata muhudu sanchara hataka yeduna mohu shri lankave galu varayatada pamini bava memagin sanatha ve. mema lipiya pihituva atte ohuge devani navuka sancharaye diya.

mehi demala lekhanaye "nayanar" (vishnu) devindunge ashirvadaya laba ganima sandaha ema devindun veta evana lada puja bhanda pilibandava sandahan ve. mema devindu devnuvara upulvan devindu bava vishvasa kere.

puja karana lada bhanda atara, ran 1000 k ridi 5000 k vividha varna valin yutu seda redi rol 50 k, tapata redi rol 50 k da, rankamin vada damu kodi, ran alepa kala pittala mal pochchi, itipahan, iti pahan adharaka, pittala pahan, suvanda vilavun ha ran nelum mal 2500 k adiyada ve

Automated translation:

This inscription, which is a very important factor about the religious and trade relations between Sri Lanka and China in the early 14th century, was found in the place known as China Coratuwa in Galle city in 1911 by the then district agent M.F. By Tomlin. It is documented in Persian (Arabic script), Chinese and Tamil. The inscription was written in the tenth year of the Chinese emperor Ying Lo (February 2, 1409), and was established in Galle in 1411 by the Chinese naval admiral Song He (1371 - 1435). This proves that he who went on seven famous sea voyages also visited Galle port in Sri Lanka. This article is set during his second voyage. Here the Tamil inscription refers to the offerings sent to the god "Nayanar" (Vishnu) to seek his blessings. This deity is believed to be Upulvan deity. Among the items offered were 1000 gold, 5000 silver, 50 rolls of silk cloth of various colors, 50 rolls of tapata cloth, flags inlaid with gold, gilded brass flower pots, candlesticks, candlesticks, brass lamps, Perfume and 2500 golden lotus flowers etc

Tamil text (not proofread):

மும் மொழிகள் கல்வெட்டின் மாதிரிப் படிவம் (கி.பி. 1411) —
இதன் முதற் பிரதி மொழும்பு தேசிய நூதனாலையில் காட்சிக்கு வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. —
மும் மொழிகளைக் கொண்ட கல்வெட்டு — 1911 ஆம் ஆண்டின் போது மாவட்ட அரசாங்க அதிபராக கடமையாற்றிய எம். எஃப். டொமலின் அவர்களால் இம் மிகச் சிறந்த கல்வெட்டை காலி நகரத்தில் சீன கோட்டை என்று அழைக்கப்படும் இடத்தில் இருந்து கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதில் பர்சியன், சீன மற்றும் தமிழ் எனும் மும் மொழிகளால் பொறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இக் கல்வெட்டை யிங் லோ எனும் சீன நாட்டு பேரரசனின் பத்தாவது ஆட்சி ஆண்டின் போது (1409 பெப்ரவரி 02 ஆம் திகதி) எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளதோடு அதனை காலியில் ஸ்தாபிக்கட்டிருப்பது 1411 ஆண்டில் சீன நாட்டு கடற்படை தலைவர் செங்க் ஹே (1371 -1435) என்பவராலேயே. பிரபல ஏழு கடற் பயணங்களை மேற்கொண்டிருப்பதோடு இதனிடையில் காலி துறைமுகத்திற்கும் வந்திருப்பதாக இதன் மூலம் தெளிவாகிறது. இவரது இரண்டாவது கடற் பயணத்தின் போதே இக் கல்வெட்டை ஸ்தாபிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதில் காணப்படும் தமிழ் ஆவணத்தில் "நயனார்" (விஷ்ணு) தேவனின் அருளைப் பெற இத் தேவனிடம் அனுப்பப்பட்டுள்ள பூஜைப் பொருட்கள் தொடர்பாக குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளன. இத் தேவன் தெவிநுவர உபுல்வன் தேவனென நம்பப்படுகிறது.

அர்ப்பணம் செய்திருக்கும் பொருள்களிடையில் 1000 பொன், 5000 வெள்ளி பல நிறங்களைக் கொண்ட 50 ரோல் பட்டுத் துணி, 50 ரோல் டெப்பட்டா துணி, பொன் வேலை போடப்பட்ட கொடிகள், பொன் பூசப்பட்ட பித்தளை பூச்சாடிகள், மிளகு விளக்குகள், மிளகு விளக்குத் தாங்கிகள், பித்தளை விளக்குகள், நறுமணப் பொருள்கள் மற்றும் 2500 பொன் தாமரைப் பூற்கள் என்பன உட்பட்டிருந்தன .

இக் கல்வெட்டு கி.பி. 14ஆம் நுற்றாண்டின் ஆரம்பப் பகுதியில் இலங்கைக்கும் சீனாவுக்கும் இடையில் நிலவிய வர்த்தக உறவுகள் தொடர்பாக காணப்

Transcription:

mum moḻikaḷ kalveṭṭiṉ mātirip paṭivam (ki.pi. 1411) —
itaṉ mutaṟ pirati moḻumpu tēciya nūtaṉālaiyil kāṭcikku vaikkappaṭṭuḷḷatu. —
mum moḻikaḷaik koṇṭa kalveṭṭu — 1911 ām āṇṭiṉ pōtu māvaṭṭa aracāṅka atiparāka kaṭamaiyāṟṟiya em. eḵp. ṭomaliṉ avarkaḷāl im mikac ciṟanta kalveṭṭai kāli nakarattil cīṉa kōṭṭai eṉṟu aḻaikkappaṭum iṭattil iruntu kaṇṭeṭukkappaṭṭuḷḷatu. itil parciyaṉ, cīṉa maṟṟum tamiḻ eṉum mum moḻikaḷāl poṟikkappaṭṭuḷḷatu. ik kalveṭṭai yiṅ lō eṉum cīṉa nāṭṭu pēraracaṉiṉ pattāvatu āṭci āṇṭiṉ pōtu (1409 pepravari 02 ām tikati) eḻutappaṭṭuḷḷatōṭu ataṉai kāliyil stāpikkaṭṭiruppatu 1411 āṇṭil cīṉa nāṭṭu kaṭaṟpaṭai talaivar ceṅk hē (1371 -1435) eṉpavarālēyē. pirapala ēḻu kaṭaṟ payaṇaṅkaḷai mēṟkoṇṭiruppatōṭu itaṉiṭaiyil kāli tuṟaimukattiṟkum vantiruppatāka itaṉ mūlam teḷivākiṟatu. ivaratu iraṇṭāvatu kaṭaṟ payaṇattiṉ pōtē ik kalveṭṭai stāpikkappaṭṭuḷḷatu.

itil kāṇappaṭum tamiḻ āvaṇattil "nayaṉār" (viṣṇu) tēvaṉiṉ aruḷaip peṟa it tēvaṉiṭam aṉuppappaṭṭuḷḷa pūjaip poruṭkaḷ toṭarpāka kuṟippiṭappaṭṭuḷḷaṉa. it tēvaṉ tevinuvara upulvaṉ tēvaṉeṉa nampappaṭukiṟatu.

arppaṇam ceytirukkum poruḷkaḷiṭaiyil 1000 poṉ, 5000 veḷḷi pala niṟaṅkaḷaik koṇṭa 50 rōl paṭṭut tuṇi, 50 rōl ṭeppaṭṭā tuṇi, poṉ vēlai pōṭappaṭṭa koṭikaḷ, poṉ pūcappaṭṭa pittaḷai pūccāṭikaḷ, miḷaku viḷakkukaḷ, miḷaku viḷakkut tāṅkikaḷ, pittaḷai viḷakkukaḷ, naṟumaṇap poruḷkaḷ maṟṟum 2500 poṉ tāmaraip pūṟkaḷ eṉpaṉa uṭpaṭṭiruntaṉa .

ik kalveṭṭu ki.pi. 14ām nuṟṟāṇṭiṉ ārampap pakutiyil ilaṅkaikkum cīṉāvukkum iṭaiyil nilaviya varttaka uṟavukaḷ toṭarpāka kāṇap

Transcription:

mum mozhigal kalvettin mathirip padivam (ki.pi. 1411) —
ithan muthar pirathi mozhumbu thesiya nuthanalaiyil kadsikku vaikkappattullathu. —
mum mozhigalaig konda kalvettu — 1911 am andin pothu mavatta arasanga athiparaga kadamaiyarriya em. eqp. domalin avarkalal im migas sirantha kalvettai kali nagarathil sina kottai enru azhaikkappadum idathil irunthu kandedukkappattullathu. ithil parsiyan, sina marrum thamizh enum mum mozhigalal porikkappattullathu. ig kalvettai ying lo enum sina nattu perarasanin pathavathu adsi andin pothu (1409 pepravari 02 am thigathi) ezhuthappattullathodu athanai kaliyil sthapikkattiruppathu 1411 andil sina nattu kadarpadai thalaivar seng he (1371 -1435) enpavaraleye. pirapala ezhu kadar payanangalai merkondiruppathodu ithanidaiyil kali thuraimugathirkum vanthiruppathaga ithan mulam thelivagirathu. ivarathu irandavathu kadar payanathin pothe ig kalvettai sthapikkappattullathu.

ithil kanappadum thamizh avanathil "nayanar" (vishnu) thevanin arulaip pera ith thevanidam anuppappattulla pujaip porudkal thodarpaga kurippidappattullana. ith thevan thevinuvara upulvan thevanena nambappadugirathu.

arppanam seythirukkum porulkalidaiyil 1000 pon, 5000 velli pala nirangalaig konda 50 rol pattuth thuni, 50 rol deppatta thuni, pon velai podappatta kodigal, pon pusappatta pithalai puchadigal, milagu vilakkugal, milagu vilakkuth thangigal, pithalai vilakkugal, narumanap porulkal marrum 2500 pon thamaraip purkal enpana udpattirunthana .

ig kalvettu ki.pi. 14am nurrandin arambap paguthiyil ilangaikkum sinavukkum idaiyil nilaviya varthaga uravugal thodarpaga kanap

Automated translation:

During the year 1911, M. who served as the District Government President. F. This very fine inscription has been found by Tomalin at a place known as the Chinese Fort in the city of Galle. It is inscribed in Persian, Chinese and Tamil languages. This inscription was written during the tenth year of the reign of the Chinese emperor Ying Lo (1409 February 02) and it was established in Galli in 1411 by the Chinese naval leader Cheng He (1371-1435). It is clear from this that the famous seven sea voyages were made and in between they also arrived at Galle port. This inscription was established during his second sea voyage. A Tamil document found in it mentions the puja items sent to the god "Nayanar" (Vishnu) to seek his grace. This deity is believed to be Devinuvara Upulvan Deva. The offerings included 1000 gold, 5000 silver, 50 rolls of multi-colored silk, 50 rolls of tepatta cloth, gold-worked flags, gold-plated brass vases, pepper lamps, pepper lamp holders, brass lamps, perfumes and 2500 gold lotus flowers. This inscription is dated AD. Regarding the trade relations between Sri Lanka and China in the early part of the 14th century, see

Gallery information:

These photos were taken at the Galle National Museum—one of the most significant heritage sites in Sri Lanka's southern half constructed in Dutch architectural design. The main objectives of the museum are to the acquisition, conservation, study and research of historical and cultural heritage of the Southern half of Sri Lanka and to exhibit those objects to encourage public knowledge and education.