A list of ancient monarchs of Java becomes a part of Indonesian history in leading the nation from the past until now. Based on the historical records, Indonesia used to contain ancient kingdoms led by great rulers.
Most ancient kingdoms in Indonesia used to have a monarchy system, specifically on Java Island that was similar to some of the great rulers of the Majapahit kingdom. Based on some ancient inscriptions, it is written that there are so many lists of ancient monarchs of Java that lead the kingdoms.
Some of the biggest kingdoms in Indonesia, such as Majapahit, Mataram, Kediri, and Bali, were having a monarchy system. Most of their monarchs become the most popular king or queen well-known up until now.
Speaking of it, now we have some of the lists of the ancient monarch of Java that used to have so powerful to lead the throne. Let’s see some of them below!
1. Queen Shima
Queen Shima is one of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that has a charismatic leadership. She is the first queen that bravely makes a law against thievery. Not only that, but she also encourages all of her people around the kingdom to be brave, honest, and always tell the truth.
Queen Shima reigns in the Kalingga kingdom in around the 7th century as one of the most influential woman rulers of the ancient kingdom in Indonesia. The kingdom is located around the northern coast of Central Java. She is the monarch of Java that brings a great impression to stand against thievery that is timelessly well-known.
2. Sanjaya
Sanjaya is one of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that lead the throne of the Mataram kingdom. He is popular as the founder of the Mataram kingdom and bring Hinduism to the society under the Mataram kingdom.
At that time, Hinduism is a minor but spread so fast in the society under the king Sanjaya throne. The king has so many followers that the Sanjaya dynasty is easily followed by his people.
Based on some ancient inscriptions mentions that Sanjaya is the only king that build the Sanjaya dynasty. The dynasty is everlasting for hundreds of years that worshipping Shiva as the almighty god. They even have their own most religious festivals in Indonesia that celebrate every year until now.
3. Rakai Panangkaran
Rakai Panangkaran is one of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that reigned as the second king of Mataram after Sanjaya fell. Based on the Kalasan inscription, he is the successor of the king Sanjaya.
Rakai Panangkaran reigns on the throne of the Mataram kingdom in-between the years 746-784. He is aware of the conflict in the kingdom between the two dynasties of the Sanjaya and Syailendra that were influential to the next religions in Indonesia.
Rakai Panangkaran was made to amend the rivalry between the two dynasties to live in peace together as written on Kalasan inscriptions. He also builds the Ratu Boko temple to worship the goddess Tara as Buddhism.
4. Samaratungga
Samaratungga is one of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that reigned Central Java and Sriwijaya kingdom. In the Central Java kingdom, he was the monarch of the Medang kingdom, which he held the throne in around 812 AD as one of the Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia.
Samaratungga is popular as the head of the Syailendra dynasty that existed before the Sanjaya dynasty by King Sanjaya of the Mataram kingdom. As the Sanjaya dynasty bring Hinduism, the Syailendra dynasty bring Buddhism into society.
Samaratungga is the king of the Syailendra Dynasty that has the idea to build the massive temple of Borobudur. The temple was built to worship the god of Buddhism.
5. Rakai Pikatan
Rakai Pikatan is one of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that lead the Sanjaya dynasty of the Medang kingdom. The king was the one that had the idea to build the Prambanan temple to worshipping Shiva as the almighty god of Hinduism.
Based on the Wantil inscription, Rakai Pikatan married the daughter of Samaratungga from the Syailendra dynasty making the political relationship between the two dynasties reduce the conflict.
6. Mpu Sindok
Mpu Sindok is one of the list ancient monarchs of Java that lead the throne of the kingdom of Mataram in Central Java. He becomes the last king that reigns in the Sanjaya dynasty between 928–929 AD.
When Mpu Sindok was monarch of the Mataram kingdom, he moved the kingdom from Central Java to East Java. He builds the new dynasty that calls as Isyana dynasty, which brings the Hinduism vibe of the Mataram kingdom in East Java.
7. Dharmawangsa
Dharmawangsa is one of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that reigned the Isyana dynasty of the Medang Kingdom in East Java. He married the daughter of the Mpu Sindok, which bring him into his authority as monarch of the Isyana Dynasty.
Dharmawangsa is well-known as the king that powerfully conquered so many kingdoms such as Bali and West Kalimantan. His reign was over once Srivijaya attacked the Medang kingdom and made the kingdom fall in around 1016 CE.
8. Airlangga
Airlangga is one of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that reigned in the Kahuripan kingdom. He is the successor of the king Dharmawangsa who monarchs the Isyana dynasty of the Medang kingdom.
After Dharmawangsa’s death and the Medang kingdom fell, Airlangga survive to consolidate his authority in the established new kingdom of the Kahuripan. Later he expands his reign from East Java into Bali and avoid the dynasty rules.
Airlangga was the patron of two religions of Hinduism and Buddhism to make more peace in the Kahuripan kingdom among his people. He developed so many things such as art, literature, agriculture, trade, and many more.
So, there are some of the lists of ancient monarchs of Java that powerfully exist thousand years ago. Have you ever heard of one of those monarchs? Which one that become your favorite?
