The inscriptions on the Singapore Stones have been proposed as evidence for the extinction of which kingdom?

• A. Majapahit Kingdom
• B. Khmer Empire
• C. Srivijaya
• D. Pala Kingdom

Answer: (A)

Inscriptions on the Singapore Stones are discussed in terms of linking a regional historical turning point to a specific empire. Some early readings argued that the text, though fragmentary and hard to decipher, referred to the end or extinction of a powerful Javanese maritime kingdom. The most commonly cited candidate for that extinction in relation to Temasek (the old name for Singapore) is the Majapahit Empire, which played a dominant role in Southeast Asia from the late 13th century into the 15th century. If the inscription were read in a way that pointed to the fall of Majapahit, it would place Temasek’s story within the broader narrative of shifting powers as Majapahit declined and new Malay sultanates rose.

The other kingdoms listed—Khmer Empire, Srivijaya, and the Pala Kingdom—do not fit as neatly with the inscription’s context in the most frequently discussed interpretations. Khmer Empire was centered in what is now Cambodia, well separate from Temasek, and Srivijaya’s decline is often associated with earlier periods and different zones of influence. The Pala Kingdom lies in eastern India, far removed from the Singapore region. Because the Singapore Stones’ inscription tradition is tied more closely to Javanese-Malay connections and the Majapahit era, the suggested link toMajapahit is the best fit among the options.