Based on Kedukan Bukit Inscription (June 16th, 682), Palembang was established since 1382 years ago by the king of Sriwijaya. In topography, Palembang was surrounded by water that came from rivers, bog, or water rain. Even until now, 52% of lands in Palembang suffused by water. May be because of that reason, the ancestors named it Palembang (Melanesia language) that mean the suffused water land. This condition has been used by Palembangnesse to make the water as a means of transportation for trading.
There is an interesting thing from Chinese chronic, Chu-Fan-Chi written by Chau Ju-Kua in 14th century. It says that the Sriwijaya Kingdom (Palembang) was located in South sea and power foreign commerce traffic at strait. At that time the Sriwijaya port used iron chains to fight the pirate by turning down the iron chains when they come. If there were ships passing the harbor without stopping by, the ship would be surrounded and was attacked by Sriwijaya ships.
