This article is part of the History of Indonesia series
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Prehistory
Early kingdoms
Tarumanagara (358-669)
Srivijaya (7th to 13th centuries)
Sailendra (8th to 9th centuries)
Sunda Kingdom (669-1579)
Mataram Kingdom (752–1045)
Kediri (1045–1221)
Singhasari (1222–1292)
Majapahit (1293–1500)
The rise of Muslim states
The spread of Islam (1200–1600)
Malacca Sultanate (1400–1511)
Sultanate of Demak (1475–1518)
Aceh Sultanate (1496–1903)
Sultanate of Banten (1526–1813)
Mataram Sultanate (1500s to 1700s)
European colonialism
The Portuguese (1512–1850)
Dutch East India Co. (1602–1800)
Dutch East Indies (1800–1942)
The emergence of Indonesia
National awakening (1899–1942)
Japanese occupation (1942–1945)
Declaration of independence (1945)
National revolution (1945–1950)
Independent Indonesia
Liberal democracy (1950–1957)
"Guided Democracy" (1957–1965)
Start of the "New Order" (1965–1966)
The "New Order" (1966–1998)
"Reformasi" era (1998–present)
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Mataram was a Hindu-Buddhist Javanese kingdom based in Central Java between the 8th and 10th centuries AD and was established by king Sanjaya, he was also known as the founder of Sanjaya dynasty. The Sanjaya dynasty reign the kingdom, but then in later period the kingdom was ruled by Isyana Dynasty. Although initially eclipsed in power by the rival Sailendra Dynasty, by 850 it had become the dominant power in Java and was a serious rival to the hegemonic Srivijaya Empire.

[edit] Origin and formation

The early account of Mataram kingdom is mentioned in Canggal inscription, dated 732, discovered in Canggal village, Southwest from the town of Magelang. This inscription was written in Pallava letters and in Sanskrit, and tell about the erection of a lingga (symbol of Shiva) on the hill in the Kunjarakunja area. This area is located at a noble island called Yawadwipa (Java) which blessed with abundance of rice and gold. This inscription tells that Yawadwipa was reigned by king Sanna, which his long period of reign was marked with wisdom and virtue. After king Sanna died the kingdom fell into disunity. Confused because lost of ruler and patron, Sanjaya ascend to throne, he was the son of Sannaha (sister of Sanna). He was king that mastered holy scriptures, martial art, and also military prowess. He conquered neighboring area around his kingdom, his wise reign blessed his land with peace and prosperity for all his subjects ^[1].

King Sanna and Sanjaya also known in Carita Parahyangan, a book from later period which mainly tell the history of Pasundan (Sunda Kingdom). This book mentioned that Sanna was defeated by Purbasora, king of Galuh, then he retreated to mount Merapi. Later Sanna's successor Sanjaya reclaim Sanna's kingdom and ruled West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Bali. He also involved in battle with Malayu and Keling (against their king Sang Srivijaya). In main theme of Carita Parahyangan is corresponds to Canggal inscription.

The magnificent 9th century Hindu temple of Prambanan, Yogyakarta, was built by Mataram kingdom.

From the time of its founding in early 8th century until 928, the kingdom was ruled by the Sanjaya Dynasty. The first king of Mataram was Sanjaya, who left the written records on Canggal inscriptions. However around mid 8th century, Sailendra dynasty emerged in Central Java and challenged Sanjaya dynasty domination on the region. According to Kalasan inscription dated 778 AD, pranagari script written in sanskrit, the Kalasan temple was erected by the will of Guru Sang Raja Sailendravamçatilaka (the Jewel of Sailendra family) that succeed to persuade Maharaja Tejapurnapana Panangkaran (Sanjaya's successor) to construct a holy building for the goddess (boddhisattvadevi) Tara and also build a vihara (monastery) for buddhist monks from Sailendra family's realm. Panangkaran awarded the Kalaça village to sangha (buddhist monastic community).^[2].

The received version holds that the Sailendra dynasty existed next to the Sanjaya dynasty in Central Java, and much of the period was characterized by peaceful co-existence and cooperation. Another theory holds that Sailendra with their strong connections to Srivijaya managed to gain control on Central Java and imposing overlordship on the Rakai (local Javanese lords) including the Sanjayas, thus make the kings of Mataram Sanjaya as their vassal. Little is known about the kingdom due to the dominance of the Sailendra which during this period construct Borobudur buddhist monument. Samaratungga, the monarch of Sailendra, tried to secure Sailendra's position in Java, cementing alliance with Sanjayas by arranging the marriage of his daughter Pramodhawardhani with Rakai Pikatan. Around the middle of the 9th century relations between Sanjaya and Sailendra had deteriorated. In 852 the Sanjaya ruler Pikatan had defeated Balaputra, the offspring of the Sailendra monarch Samaratunga, and princess Tara. This ended the Sailendra presence in Java and Balaputra retreated to the Srivijaya in Sumatra, where he became the paramount ruler.^[3]

The kingdom leaves several temples and monuments. The monumental Hindu temple of Prambanan in the vicinity of Yogyakarta built during the reign of King Pikatan and Balitung, is the fine example of ancient Mataram art and architecture. The grand temple complex was dedicated to Trimurti (Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu), the three highest god in Hindu pantheon. It was the largest Hindu temple ever built in Indonesia, the evidence of immense wealth and cultural achievement of the kingdom. Other Hindu temples dated from Mataram Kingdom era are Sambisari, Gebang, Barong, Ijo, and Morangan temple.

[edit] Moving eastward

At certain point of the time, the centre of the kingdom was shifted from Central Java to East Java by Mpu Sindok, who established the Isyana Dynasty. The exact cause of move of location still uncertain. However probably have been caused by an eruption of the volcano Gunung Merapi or a power struggle. The later king Dharmawangsa ordered the translation of the Mahabharata into Old Javanese in 996.

[edit] Collapse

The kingdom collapsed at the end of Dharmawangsa's reign under military pressure from Srivijaya. Airlangga, a son of Udayana of Bali and a relative of Dharmawangsa re-established the kingdom (including Bali) under the name of Kahuripan. In 1045 Airlangga abdicated his throne to resume the life of an ascetic, and divided the kingdom between his two sons, Jangala and Kediri and from this point on the kingdom is known as Kediri.

[edit] List of rulers

• Sanjaya (732—760)
• Panangkaran (760—780)
• Warak (800—819)
• Garung (819—838)
• Pikatan (838—850)
• Kayuwangi (850—898)
• Balitung (898—910)
• Daksa (910—919)
• Tulodong (919—924)
• Wawa (924—929)
• Mpu Sindok (929—947)
• Sri Isyana Tunggawijaya (947—985)
• Dharmawangsa (985—1006)

[edit] References

[edit] General

• Soekmono, R, Drs., Pengantar Sejarah Kebudayaan Indonesia 2, 2nd ed. Penerbit Kanisius, Yogyakarta, 1973, 5th reprint edition in 1988

[edit] Notes

Indonesia portal

[edit] See also

• Sanjaya Dynasty
• Prambanan

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mataram

• Early History of Java
• Sailendra

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