History of the Bali Kingdom, Early Establishment, Social Life and Glory Period
As we know today, the Kingdom of Bali is located on the island of Bali, not far from East Java. This kingdom is believed to have a historical life related to the Balinese people as a whole. What is the review? Here is the history of the Kingdom of Bali starting from its founding that you should know.
The Story of the Kingdom of Bali
The discovery of inscriptions in this place shows that the Kingdom of Bali was established since the Paleolithic era, followed by the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age periods.
However, the historical period in Bali essentially began around the 8th century. The Kingdom of Bali was founded by the Marwadewa Dynasty and lasted for more than a century.
If we delve into various inscriptions found in this place, the Kingdom of Bali apparently once had a form of statehood led by Singa Mandawa.
This state system even made the entire Balinese society submit and serve. However, the power presented by Singa Mandawa only lasted for about 60 years.
Typically, the origin of this kingdom began when the power in the eastern part of Java was frequently attacked by small kingdoms around it. This condition then chose to leave and save itself on the eastern island known as Bali.
Nevertheless, the culture of the ancestors that had existed caused this region to adopt Hindu-Buddhism, animism, and dynamism.
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Kings Who Ruled in the Kingdom of Bali
In fact, the history of the Kingdom of Bali shows that there were 11 kings who ruled this area of power. They include Sri Kesari Warmadewi, Queen Sri Agrasena, Tabanendra Warmadewa, Jayasinga Warmadewa, Jayashadu Warmadewa, Sri Wijaya Mahadewi, Dharma Udayana Warmadewa, Marakata, Anak Wungsu, Jaya Sakti, and Bedahulu.
These kings ruled from the 8th century with a palace located in Singhadwalawa. The kings who ruled this kingdom were essentially presented in a hereditary manner.
However, some suspect that Jayasingha Warmadewa is not a descendant of Tabanendra Warmadewa, but rather a crown prince who was appointed king before Tabanendra abdicated.
Similarly, Sri Wijaya Mahadewi, as a woman who ruled in 983, was also not a king who inherited the throne. This queen is even suspected to have originated from the Sriwijaya Kingdom or the daughter of Mpu Sindok from East Java. This is believed because the inscriptions presented are not well-known in Bali, but rather have names commonly mentioned in inscriptions in Java.
The government led by each of these kings shows that the glory of the Kingdom of Bali occurred when it was led by Dharma Udayana Warmadewa.
This glory could be achieved when Dharma Udayana ruled alongside his queen named Mahendradatta from East Java.
This condition even influenced the rapid development of Javanese culture entering Bali. The presence of inscriptions in this region even began to be written using Old Javanese. The golden age presented during this reign could last until 1011.
Dharma Udayana even had three sons named Airlangga, Marakata, and Anak Wungsu who became the successors of this kingdom. However, Airlangga, as the first son of Dharma Udayana, never ruled this area. This is because Airlangga was appointed as the son-in-law of Dharmawangsa in East Java.
The government continued by the descendants of Dharma Udayana brought a harmonious life to this region. Unfortunately, the history of the Kingdom of Bali shows the weakness of this kingdom when led by Bedahulu until 1343. The reign assisted by Patih Kebo Iwa and Patih Pasunggrigis was defeated by Patih Gajah Mada who attacked this region.
The defeat that occurred during this period was due to the treachery committed by the Majapahit Kingdom. Patih Kebo Iwa, who was sent to Majapahit, was brutally killed without Bedahulu's knowledge.
Patih Gajah Mada also pretended to invite this kingdom to negotiate and killed the king, then forcibly took over the territory of the Kingdom of Bali.
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Heritage of the Kingdom of Bali
The heritage of the Kingdom of Bali can be well presented through the life that occurred in this region. Typically, the Balinese people at that time presented an economic life in agriculture or farming, trading, craftsmanship, and undagi.
Various types of economic life that were developed during the kingdom even continue to this day.
Several types of royal heritage that can still be seen today include the Blanjong Inscription, Panglapuan Inscription, Gunung Panulisan Inscription, heritage inscriptions of Anak Wungsu, Padas Temple, Pura Agung Besakih, Mengening Temple, and Wasan Temple. Typically, these legacies present many historical stories of the Kingdom of Bali from beginning to end.
Thus, this is the review that you need to know regarding the Kingdom of Bali. The story of this kingdom, which is not widely known by the public, actually plays an important role in shaping the good life of society to this day. This kingdom even has many legacies as evidence of the presence of the Kingdom of Bali located on the island of Bali.
