Medang Kingdom

Keywords

Formation of Medang kingdom

Canggal inscription

732, 8th century

Yawadwipa

King Sanna

Sanjaya

Dieng Plateau

The Sunda Kingdom

Builder in Medang kingdom era

Panangkaran

Kalasan inscription

Ratu Boko

Manjusrigrha temple / Sewu

Great conqueror in Medang kingdom era

Ngawen temple

Borobudur

Pawon temple

Srivijaya

Medang Kingdom

Collapse of Medang kingdom

Dharmawangsa

Chulamaniwarmadewa

Wurawari of Lwaram

Airlangga

Kingdom of Kahuripan

Capital of Medang kingdom

Pacifist Ruler

Legacy of Medang kingdom

Formation and growth of Medang kingdom

o Dharanindra's successor was Samaragrawira (r. 800—819), mentioned in Nalanda inscription (dated 860) as the father of Balaputradewa, and the son of Śailendravamsatilaka (the jewel of Śailendra family) with stylized name Śrīviravairimathana (the slayer of enemy hero), which refer to Dharanindra.

The the Prambanan Plain with temples located just few hundred meters away from each other — Sambisari, Kalasan, Sari, Sewu, Lumbung, Prambanan, Plaosan, Sajiwan, Banyunibo, Ratuboko, Barong and Ijo temples — was actually where the capital of Mataram is located.

The court of the Medang Kingdom was located in Mataram, on the Prambanan Plain near Yogyakarta and Prambanan.

The capital is like palace, a walled called pura in Sanskrit, or in local Javanese as karaton, this is where the king and his family reside and rule his court.

The palace is more of a pendopo style pavilions surrounded by walls.

The example of this buildings can be found in Ratu Boko compound.

The nagara or capital itself was densely populated villages surrounding the pura (king's palace).

o The rule of Shivaist Rakai Pikatan (r. 838—850) and his Buddhist queen consort Pramodhawardhani marked the return of the Medang Mataram court favour to Shivaist Hindu, instead of Mahayana Buddhism favoured by previous king Samaratungga.

o This is evident in the construction of grand Shivagrha temple compound in the Mataram capital, located only few hundred meters south from Manjusrigrha temple compound.

Known as the golden age of ancient Indonesian civilization, the era of Medang in Bhumi Mataram kingdom has left an everlasting mark and legacy in Indonesian culture and history.

The grand and magnificent Borobudur and Prambanan, has become the source of national pride, for the whole of Indonesians.

It was also during this period that numbers of dharmic scriptures either Hindu or Buddhist, has made their way from India into Javanese culture. example the tales of Buddhist Jatakas and Lalitavistara, also Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata were adopted into Javanese version.

These tales and epics would further shaped the Javanese culture and performing arts, such as Javanese dances and wayang art.

Sojiwan is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple located in Kebon Dalem Kidul village, Prambanan, Klaten Regency, Central Java

Banyunibo is a 9th-century Buddhist temple located in Cepit hamlet, Bokoharjo village, Prambanan, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta,

Lumbung or Candi Lumbung is a 9th-century Buddhist temple compound located within the complex of Prambanan Temple Tourism Park, Central Java

Sambisari is a 9th-century Hindu temple located at Sambisari hamlet, Purwomartani village, Kalasan, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta,

Candi Plaosan, is one of the Buddhist temples located in Bugisan village, Prambanan district, Klaten Regency, Central Java

Candi Prambanan or Candi Rara Jonggrang is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in Central Java

Khudda-bodhi-Jataka, Borobudur

The Medang or Mataram Kingdom was a Javanese Hindu–Buddhist kingdom in the 8th and 10th centuries in Central Java, and later in East Java. Established by King Sanjaya, the kingdom was ruled by the Sailendra dynasty.

Ratu Boko is located on a plateau, south of Lara Jonggrang Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta Indonesia

A Pendopo or Pendapa is a fundamental element of Javanese architecture; a large pavilion-like structure built on columns.

Lalitavistara/ The Bodhisattva in Tushita Heaven before his birth as Siddhartha Gautama. Borobudur

Later, Sanjaya reclaimed Sanna's kingdom and ruled West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Bali.

· According to Canggal inscription, Sanjaya established a new kingdom in Southern Central Java. linked to temple structures in Dieng Plateau, Central Java.

· The story of Sanna and Sanjaya are also described in the Carita Parahyangan, a book from around 16th-century, describes the history of Pasundan (the Sunda Kingdom).

· Sanjaya, the son of Sannaha (Sanna's sister) ascended to the throne. He conquered the areas around his kingdom, and bring prosperity.

· Sanjaya come to power circa 717 CE, noted in King Daksa's inscription far later in early 10th-century.

The Pandavas and Krishna in an act of the Javanese wayang wong performance.

Lakshmana, Rama and Sita during their exile in Dandaka Forest depicted in Javanese dance

Javanese wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance by a famous Indonesian dalang (puppet master) Ki Manteb Sudharsono, is usually a whole night long.

· Medang Kingdom inscription is in the Canggal inscription, dated 732, 8th century, in Gunung Wukir temple in Canggal village, Magelang.

· Yawadwipa was ruled by King Sanna, who is wise and virtue. After Sanna died, the kingdom fell.

o Unlike his predecessor the expansive warlike Dharanindra, Samaragrawira seems to be a pacifist, enjoying a peaceful prosperity of interior Java in Kedu Plain, and more interested on completing the Borobudur project.

o He appointed the Khmer prince Jayavarman as the governor of Indrapura in the Mekong delta under Sailendran rule.

Canggal inscription dated 732 edicted by King Sanjaya of Medang i Bhumi Mataram kingdom.

The inscription was discovered in Kadiluwih, Salam, Magelang Regency, Central Java.

map of the Sunda and Galuh Kingdoms of Java.

Complex of Candi Arjuna, Dieng Plateau, Central Java

The period between 8th century to 9th century of Panangkaran to Balitung, has left impressive monuments; Manjusrigrha, Bhumisambharabudhara and Shivagrha.

By merging Hindu-Buddhist frame of reference and elements into their culture, art and architecture, and by Sanskritization their language, Javanese has formulating their own Hindu-Buddhist Javanese style and developing an ingenious civilization.

Jayavarman

Kedu Plain lies between the volcanoes Mount Sumbing and Mount Sundoro to the west, and Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi to the east on Central Java

This Javanese style of Sailendran art, in sculpture and architecture, would influenced arts, particularly the Srivijayan art in Sumatra and Southern Thailand Malay Peninsula.

The Khmer art and architecture during the formation of Angkor believed to being influenced by Javanese art and architecture; as well as the Bakong temple in Cambodia was inspired by Borobudur's design.

Manjusrigrha/ Sewu is an 8th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple located 800 meters north of Prambanan in Central Java

Shivagrha/ Prambanan or Candi Rara Jonggrang is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in Central Java,

Bhumisambharabudhara/ Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Magelang, Central Java,

officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia

Angkor is a region of Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from approximately the 9th to 15th centuries

Bakong is the first temple mountain of sandstone constructed by rulers of the Khmer empire at Angkor near modern Siem Reap in Cambodia

o This decision was proven as a mistake, as Jayavarman later would revolted, moved his capital further inland north from Tonle Sap to Mahendraparvata, severed the link and proclaimed Cambodian independence from Java in 802.

o Earlier historians such as N.J. Krom tends to equate Samaragrawira and Samaratungga as the same person.

Tonle sap

o Samaratungga (r. 819—838) was credited for the completion of massive stone mandala, the grand monument of Borobudur (completed in 825).

o Samaratungga just like Samaragrawira, seems to be deeply influenced by peaceful Mahayana Buddhist beliefs and strive to become a pacifist and a benevolent ruler.

Economy of Medang kingdom

The Collapse of Medang kingdom

The Golden age of Medang kingdom

Great conqueror

Great builder

The Wonoboyo hoard, golden artifacts discovered in 1990, discovered the gold coins similar to corn seeds, shows that 9th century Javan economy is partly monetized.

o Panangkaran probably also laid the foundation for the construction of grand Manjusrigrha/ Sewu temple, as mentioned in Manjusrigrha inscription dated 792.

o Panangkaran (r. 760—780) was a developer / architect.

Sewu is an 8th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple located 800 meters north of Prambanan in Central Java

o There are reports that naval Javanese raiders invaded Tran-nam in 767, Champa in 774, and Champa again in 787.

o The successor of Panangkaran was Dharanindra (r. 780—800) or commonly known as King Indra. He was mentioned in Kelurak inscription (dated 782) in his formal name Sri Sanggrama Dhananjaya.

o In this inscription he was hailed as Wairiwarawiramardana or "the slayer of courageous enemies".

Tran-nam/ vietnam

Champa

Kelurak inscription is an inscription dated 704 Saka (782 CE), written in Sanskrit with Pranagari script, discovered near Lumbung temple in Kelurak village, located not far north of Prambanan temple, Central Java,

It is most likely that the marketplace was rotated within a week, in a Javanese system called pasaran.

The economic trading done in barter as well as using money, as during this period, Javanese economy has been partly monetized.

With the death of Dharmawangsa and the fall of the capital, under military pressure from Srivijaya, the kingdom finally collapsed and fell to chaos.

Rice cultivation had become the base for the kingdom's economy where the villages relied on their annual rice yield to pay taxes to the court.

Earliest evidence of a currency system in Java. Javanese gold mas or tahil ingots, circa the 9th century.

o King Indra continued the construction of Manjusrigrha temple (Sewu complex), and according to the Karangtengah inscription (dated 824) he constructs Venuvana temple, connected to Mendut or Ngawen temple.

o He was also construct the of Borobudur and Pawon temple.

o Dharanindra ascends as the Maharaja of Srivijaya.

o According to the Kalasan inscription, dated 778 written in Sanskrit, the Kalasan temple was build by the will of Guru Sang Raja Sailendravamçatilaka (the teacher of the jewel of Sailendra family), who persuaded Panangkaran (Sanjaya's successor) to construct a holy building for the goddess (boddhisattvadevi) Tara and build a vihara (monastery) for Buddhist monks for the Sailendra.

The Kingdom of Kahuripan considered as the successor of Medang, located near Brantas river somewhere around modern Surabaya, Sidoarjo or Pasuruan in East Java.

This attack has opened the eyes of Srivijayan Maharaja of the danger of Javanese Medang Kingdom could be, and laid a plan and effort to destroy his nemesis, the Javanese Medang Kingdom.

Kalasan Temple

Kalasan inscription dated 700 Saka or 778 CE, written in Sanskrit using Pranagari script,

Tara statue

Location of Srivijaya

Ngawen is an 8th-century Buddhist temple compound in Magelang Regency, Central Java

Pawon is a Buddhist temple in Central Java, Located between Borobudur and Mendut

Mendut is a ninth-century Buddhist temple, located in Mendut village, Mungkid sub-district, Magelang Regency, Central Java,

In the late 10th century, the rivalry between the Sumatran Srivijaya and Javanese Medang became more hostile.

The animosity was probably caused by the Srivijayan effort to reclaim Sailendra lands in Java

o Seems that Sailendra family was belongs within Srivijayan mandala sphere of influence. And for later period of time Sailendras' monarch rose to become the head of Srivijayan mandala.

o The shift that about Sailendras to become the ruler of Srivijaya was unclear.

o Was it led by military campaign by Dharanindra against Srivijaya in Sumatra, or more likely formed by close alliance between Sailendra and the Maharaja of Srivijaya.

o Panangkaran also awarded Kalaça village and the nearby Sari temple that was probably functioned as the monastery.

o Panangkaran also responsible for the construction of Abhayagiri Vihara, connected to the today site of Ratu Boko. as a hilltop Buddhist monastery, as mentioned in the Abhayagiri Vihara inscription.

The people of Medang made a living in agriculture, as rice farmers, hunter, trader, artisan, weaponsmith, sailor, soldier, dancer, musician, food or drink vendor, etc.

Rich portrayals of daily life in 9th century Java can be seen in many temple bas-reliefs.

Notable mandalas sphere of influence in classical Southeast Asian history (circa 5th to 15th century).

Candi Sari also known as Candi Bendah), is an 8th-century Buddhist temple located at Dusun Bendan, Tirtomartani village, Kalasan, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta.

Ratu Boko is located on a plateau, about three kilometres south of Lara Jonggrang Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta

The replica of Wonoboyo hoard golden artifacts, displayed at Prambanan Museum. The real Wonoboyo hoard is in display at National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta

Earliest evidence of a currency system in Java. Javanese gold mas or tahil ingots, circa the 9th century.

In 990, Dharmawangsa launched a naval invasion of Srivijaya and unsuccessfully attempted to capture Palembang.

Airlangga, a son of King Udayana of Bali and Queen Mahendradatta, also a nephew of slain King Dharmawangsa, managed to escape the destruction and went into exile.

In retaliation, Srivijaya forces assisted by Haji (king) Wurawari of Lwaram to revolt, attacked and destroyed the Medang Palace, killing Dharmawangsa and most of the royal family.

Airlangga,(born 991 in Bali, Indonesia – died 1049 in Java), was the only raja of the Kingdom of Kahuripan.

He later rallied popular support, reunited the remnants of the Medang Kingdom and re-established the kingdom (including Bali) under the name of Kingdom of Kahuripan in 1019.

Dharmawangsa's invasion caused the Maharaja of Srivijaya, Chulamaniwarmadewa to request protection from China.

In 1006, Srivijaya managed to repelled the Medang invaders and liberated Palembang.

This sudden and unexpected attack took place during the wedding ceremony of Dharmawangsa's daughter, which rendered the court unprepared and shocked.

This calamity was recorded in Javanese account as the pralaya (the death) of Medang kingdom.

Kahuripan was an 11th-century Javanese Hindu-Buddhist kingdom with its capital located around the estuarine of Brantas River valley in East Java.

Medang Kingdom

Pasir Awi Inscription