The Kingdom of Kutai: Founder, Lineage, Heyday and Fall and Legacy

Kutai Kingdom: Founder, Lineage, Heyday and Fall and Legacy – What is the history of the Kutai kingdom located in Kalimantan? On this occasion About the knowledge.co.id will discuss the kingdom of Kutai and other matters surrounding it. Let's look at the discussion together in the article below to better understand it.

The Kingdom of Kutai: Founder, Lineage, Heyday and Fall and Legacy

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The founder of the Kutai Kingdom was Aswawarman. So that he received the title Wangsakerta which means the founder of the royal family. Apart from that, King Aswawarman also received the title Dewa Anshuman which means the God of the Sun. The awarding of this title is also mentioned on the stupas left by the Kingdom of Kutai.

However, in several stories it is also mentioned that the founder of the Kingdom of Kutai was Kudungga. There is no authentic information that mentions who the founder of this kingdom was. According to experts, Kudungga's position at that time was the tribal chief of Kutai.

The Kutai Kingdom is included in the category of one of the oldest Hindu kingdoms in Indonesia. It is estimated that this kingdom has existed since the 5th century AD or ± 400 AD and was built starting from the 4th century with evidence found in the form of seven Yupa inscriptions which strengthen the theory of the establishment of the kingdom the.

The inscription is written in Pallawa letters in Sanskrit in the form of poetry. The Yupa inscription is also one of the oldest inscriptions stating the establishment of the oldest Hindu kingdom, namely the Kingdom of Kutai. This Yupa is in the form of a stone monument that serves as a memorial made by the Brahmins for the generosity of King Mulawarman.

In Yupa it is stated that Mulawarman was a very good and strong king. Mulawarman was the son of Aswawarman and the grandson of King Kudungga who gave 20,000 cows to the Brahmins.

King Aswawarman is mentioned as Dewa Ansuma (Sun God). He had three children including Mulawarman who was known as the greatest king in this kingdom. King Mulawarman embraced Hinduism and had a holy place called Waprakeswara.

The Kingdom of Kutai is located on the banks of the Mahakam River, precisely located in Muarakaman District, Kutai, East Kalimantan. This area is a very large area, in fact the Kutai Kingdom almost controls the entire territory of Kalimantan

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Kutai royal lineage

Kudungga is the founder of the Kutai Kingdom as well as the first king there. He has a son named Aswawarman. Aswawarman has a son named Mulawarman. Kudungga is the original name of the Indonesian people who have not been mixed with any culture. At first, the position of Kudungga was the head of the tribe.

But over time, Hindu influence entered and then Kudungga changed its government structure into a kingdom. And after that he changed his position as a king, which then replaced the king in a hereditary manner.
Kings who once ruled in the Kingdom of Kutai, here is a complete genealogy:

• Maharaja Kudungga, posthumously titled Dewawarman (founder)
• Maharaja Aswawarman (son of Kundungga)
• Maharaja Mulawarman (son of Aswawarman)
• Maharaja Marawijaya Warman
• Maharaja Gajayana Warman
• Maharaja Tungga Warman
• Maharaja Jayanaga Warman
• Maharaja Nalasinga Warman
• Maharaja Nala Parana Tungga
• Maharaja Gadingga Warman Dewa
• Maharaja Indra Warman Dewa
• Maharaja Sangga Warman Dewa
• Maharaja Chandravarman
• Maharaja Sri Lanka Dewa
• Maharaja Guna Parana Dewa
• Maharaja Wijaya Warman
• Maharaja Sri Aji Dewa
• Maharaja Mulia Putera
• Maharaja Nala Pandita
• Maharaja Indra Paruta Dewa
• Maharaja Dharma Setia

Meanwhile, in the XIII century, at the mouth of the Mahakam River, a Javanese Hindu-style kingdom, namely the Kutai Kertanegara Kingdom, was founded by one of the officials from the Singasari whose name was Raden Kusuma who later had the title Aji Batara Agung Dewa Sakti and was married to Princess Karang Melenu so that he later gave birth to a son named Aji Batara Agung Your Excellency Nira.

The process of assimilation (unification) of the two kingdoms began in the XIII century with the implementation of a political marriage between Aji Batara Agung Paduka Nira who married Princess Indra Perwati Dewi was a daughter of Guna Perana Tungga one of the Mulawarman (Martadipura) King's Dynasty, but failed to unite the two kingdoms the. It was only in the XVI century that there was a big war between the kingdoms of Kutai Kertanegara during the reign of Aji Prince Sinum Panji Ing with the Kingdom of Kutai Mulawarman (Martadipura) during the reign of Raja Darma Loyal.

In that battle King Darma Setia suffered defeat and died at the hands of King Kutai Kertanegara Aji Prince Sinum Panji, who later succeeded in uniting the two Kutai kingdoms. so that the territory became very wide and the name of the kingdom changed to the Kingdom of Kutai Kertanegara Ing Martadipura which later descended the dynasty of Kutai Kertanegara kings until Now.

Historical literature states that from the XIII century to 1960 the kings (sultans) of the Swapraja Region (Kingdom of Kutai Kertanegara) based on the year of his reign were as follows:

• 1300 – 1325 Aji Batara Agung Dewa Sakti
• 1350 – 1370 Aji Batara Agung Paduka Nira
• 1370 – 1420 Aji Maharaja Sultan
• 1420 – 1475 Aji Raja Mandarsyah
• 1475 – 1525 Aji Prince Tumenggung Jaya Baya (Aji Raja Putri)
• 1525 – 1600 Aji the King of the Crown
• 1600 – 1605 Aji Violated
• 1605 – 1635 Aji Prince Sinum Panji Mendopo
• 1635 – 1650 Aji Prince Dipati Agung
• 1650 – 1685 Aji Pageran Mejo Kesumo
• 1685 – 1700 Aji Begi was titled Aji Ratu Agung
• 1700 – 1730 Aji Pageran Dipati Tua
• 1730 – 1732 Aji Prince Dipati Anum Panji Pendopo
• 1732 – 1739 Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris
• 1739 – 1782 Aji Imbut the title of Sultan Muhammad Muslihuddin
• 1782 – 1850 Sultan Aji Muhammad Salehuddin
• 1850 – 1899 Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman
• 1899 – 1915 Sultan Aji Alimuddin
• 1915 – 1960 Sultan Aji Muhammad Parikesit
• 1960 – present, Sultan Haji Aji Muhammad Salehuddin II

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Community Life of Kutai Kingdom

Based on the contents of the Kutai inscriptions, it can be seen that in the 4th century AD in the Kutai area there was an Indonesian society that had received a lot of Hindu influence. The community has been able to establish a kingdom that is neatly organized according to the pattern of government in India. Indonesian society accepts elements from outside and develops them according to the traditions of the Indonesian nation

Cultural Life

The cultural life of the Kutai people is as follows:

• The Kutai people are people who maintain the roots of their ancestral cultural traditions.
• People who are very responsive to changes and cultural progress.
• Uphold religious spirit in their cultural life.
• The Kutai community is also a society that responds to cultural change and progress.
  This is evidenced by the willingness of the Kutai people to accept and adapt foreign (Indian) culture into people's lives.

Apart from that, the Kutai community is known as a society that upholds the religious spirit in its cultural life. The mention of Brahmins as spiritual leaders and religious rituals in the yupa-inscriptions they wrote strengthens this conclusion.

Economic life

Economic life in the Kingdom of Kutai can be known from the following two things:

The geographical location of the Kutai Kingdom is on the trade routes between China and India. The Kingdom of Kutai became an interesting place for merchants to stop by. This shows that trading activities have become part of the life of the Kutai people, in addition to agriculture.
Written information on the inscription says that King Mulawarman once gave his wealth in the form of oil and 20,000 cows to the Brahmins.

Political Life

Since the emergence and development of Hindu influence in East Kalimantan, there has been a change in governance, namely from the tribal chief government system to a king or feudal system of government. The kings who once ruled the kingdom of Kutai are as follows:

Kudungga. This king is the Founding Father of the Kutai kingdom, there is something unique about the name of this first king, because the name Kudungga is a local name or a name that has not been influenced by Hindu culture. This then gave rise to the perception of experts that during the reign of King Kudungga, Hindu influences had just entered the archipelago, Kudungga's position was originally a tribal chief.

With the entry of Hindu influence, he changed the structure of his government into a kingdom and appointed himself king, so that the succession of kings was carried out hereditarily.
Aswawarman. The Yupa inscription stated that King Aswawarman was a capable and strong king. During his reign, the territory of the Kingdom of Kutai was expanded again. This is evidenced by the implementation of the Asmawedha ceremony.

These ceremonies were once performed in India during the reign of king Samudragupta, when he wanted to expand his territory. During the ceremony, the release of the horse was carried out with the aim of determining the limits of the Kutai kingdom's power. In other words, where the hooves of the horses were found, they reached the boundary of the Kutai kingdom. The release of the horses was followed by Kutai royal soldiers.
Mulawarman. This king is the son of king Aswawarman, he brought the Kutai Kingdom to its peak. During his reign, Kutai experienced a glorious period. The people live in peace and prosperity. Under these circumstances King Mulawarman finally held a very large gold sacrifice ceremony.

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The Heyday of the Kutai Kingdom

The discovery of an inscription or yupa in Muara Kaman is proof that the life of the Kutai Kingdom was very prosperous and prosperous. The glory of the Kutai Kingdom faded when it was under the leadership of the Kudungga Dynasty.

This happened when big kingdoms like Majapahit and Singosari were experiencing glorious times. Since then, there have been no more stories about the life of the Kutai Kingdom which was under the Kudungga Dynasty. Kudungga comes from the Kingdom of Campa in Cambodia.

Aswawarman who is the son of Kudungga is believed to be the first king in the Kurtai Martadipura Kingdom as Wangsakerta. However, in some historical records there are also those who consider Kudungga as the first king of the Kutai Kingdom.

After King Aswawarman, the leadership milestone of the Kutai Kingdom was given to King Mulawarman. King Mulawarman is the son of King Aswawarman. During the reign of King Mulawarman, the kingdom reached its heyday.

This happened because of his wisdom and attention to matters of a religious nature. King Mulawarman gave gifts in the form of gold, land and cattle fairly to the Brahmins. In addition, he also held alms ceremonies in places considered sacred or Waprakeswara. During the reign of King Mulawarman, the people also greatly respected their king by holding a feast for the safety of the king. Evidence of the greatness of King Mulawarman is also contained in the writings on the inscription monument.

The Mulawarman inscription consists of seven Yupa. The inscription contains anustub poetry. However, of the seven inscriptions, only four Yupa have been successfully read and translated.

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The Downfall of the Kutai Kingdom

The Kutai Kingdom ended when the King of Kutai named Maharaja Dharma Setia died in battle at the hands of the 13th King of Kutai Kartanegara, Aji Pangeran Anum Panji Mendapa. It should be remembered that this Kutai (Kutai Martadipura) is different from the Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom, whose capital was first in Kutai Lama (Tanjung Kute).

It was this Kutai Kartanegara, in 1365, that was mentioned in the Javanese Negarakertagama literature. Kutai Kartanegara subsequently became an Islamic kingdom called the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate. Kingdom.

Since 1735, the kingdom of Kutai Kartanegara, which originally had the title of prince, changed to the title of Sultan (Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris) and until now it is called the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate.

Also Read Articles That May Be Related: History of the Singasari Kingdom: Its Beginning, Lineage of Kings, Its Heyday

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Relics of the Kingdom of Kutai

Historical Relics of the Kingdom of Kutai In today's 21st century, several historical relics of the Kingdom We can still find Kutai at the Mulawarman Museum which is located in Tenggarong City, Kutai Kartanegara.

The following are objects that are historical relics from the Kingdom of Kutai.

The helmet of the Sultan of Kutai

The Sultan's Ketopong is the crown of the king of the Kingdom of Kutai which is made of gold and weighs 1.98 kg. Until now this crown is still stored neatly in the Jakarta National Museum. This crown was found around 1890 which is located in the Muara Kaman area, Kutai Kartanegara. As for the Mulawarman Museum, there is also a display of a clone Sultan's helmet.

Uncal Necklace

This is a gold necklace that weighs 170 grams and is decorated with a pendant with a relief from the story of the Ramayana. This Uncal necklace became one of the attributes of the Kutai Kingdom which was worn by the Sultan of Kutai Kartanegara since Kutai Martadipura could be colonized and conquered. According to expert examination, this Uncal necklace is thought to have originated in India. Until now, there were only two Uncal Necklaces in this world. The first is located in India and the second is in the Mulawarman Museum, Tenggarong City.

Chiwa Necklace

The Ciwa Necklace is one of the historical relics from the Kutai Kingdom which was found during the reign of Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman. This necklace was found by residents around Lake Lipan, Muara Kaman in 1890. Until now this Ciwa Necklace is still worn as a royal jewelery which is also used by the king when there is a party for the appointment of the king new.

The Sultan's Sword of Kutai

This sword is made of solid gold material. On the hilt of the sword is a carving of a tiger that is getting ready to pounce on its enemy. While the tip of the sheath is decorated with a carving of a crocodile. The Kutai Sultan's sword still exists and is maintained today. This sword can be found in the Jakarta National Museum.

Golden Tortoise

This golden turtle is one of the historical relics from the Kingdom of Kutai which is now in the Mulawarman Museum. This thing is the size of half a fist. According to the information available at the Mulawarman Museum, this object was found in the Lonh Lalang area, to be precise, in the upper reaches of the Mahakam River. According to historical stories, this is also one of the objects presented by a prince which came from the Kingdom of China and was given to the Princess of Sultai Kutai named Aji Bidara White. The prince gave various kinds of unique objects to prove his sincerity in wanting to marry the princess of the kingdom.

Hill Keris

Keris Bukit has a very close relationship with the empress Aji Putri Karang Melenu. Empress Aji Putri Karang Melenu is not only the wife of King Kutai Kartanegara, but also the owner of the Keris Bukit.

Because the empress was a baby girl who was found in a gong that was washed away in a bamboo hall that was found by local residents. Uniquely, in this gong there is not only a baby girl, but also a chicken egg and a keris which is now named the Bukit keris.

Yellow Mosquito Net

It has a bit of a mystical story in it, in this yellow mosquito net there are objects left by the Kutai Kingdom which have magical powers in them.

Especially in the Yellow Nets where the power functions to avoid the disaster that can be caused.

Keris Bukit Kang

The Bukit Kang keris is a keris used by Empress Aji Putri Karang Melenu or the first consort of Sultan Kutai Kartanegara to fight enemies. This keris is remembered as Keris Bukit Kang.

Juwita rope

Tali Juwita is a rope made of thread with a total of 21 strands. Usually the rope is used when the Bepelas traditional ceremony is taking place.

This Juwita rope shows the symbol of seven estuaries and three tributaries. The rivers depicted on the rope are the Kelinjau River, the Kedang Pahu River, and the Belayan River.

King's Seat

The king's seat is a historical heritage object from the Kingdom of Kutai, which used to be a stopover for the reigning kings.

Now the seat has been stored and maintained properly in the Mulawarman Museum.

Kutai Royal Cannon

The royal Kutai cannon was a powerful defensive weapon at that time. Until now there are still 4 cannons that are maintained, namely the Gentar Bumi Cannon, Sapu Jagat Cannon, Sri Gunung Cannon and Aji Entong Cannon.

Chinese Ancient Ceramics

Ancient Chinese ceramics are estimated by experts to have come from dynasties in the empire of ancient China which had been found buried in a state around the Centipede lake. This proves that the Kutai kingdom and the Chinese empire had close trade relations in the past.

Gamelan Gajah Prawoto

Stored in the Mulawarman Museum, this gamelan is said to have come from the island of Java which is included in the legacy of the Kutai Kingdom.

Majapahit Kingdom Wall

The Pahit Kingdom Wall is included in one of the oldest relics from the Majapahit Kingdom which is included in one of the relics from the Kutai Kingdom.

Yupa Inscription

And this inscription is the legacy of the oldest Kutai Kingdom and the first inscription owned by the kingdom. This historical object is the strongest evidence of the existence of one of the largest Hindu kingdoms in Indonesia in the Kalimantan area.

The Kutai Kingdom is thought to have existed in the 5th century AD, this is evidenced by the discovery of 7 Yupa (inscriptions in the form of a stone pillar) written in Pallawa letters and Sanskrit originating from India who are familiar with it Hindu. Yupa has 3 main functions, namely as an inscription, an animal binding pole for religious sacrifices, and a symbol of the king's greatness.

From the inscription written on the yupa, the name of King Kundungga is thought to be the original Indonesian name, but the replacement is like Aswawarman, Mulawarman that shows the name taken from the name of India and the ceremony he performed was aimed at religious ceremonial activities Hindu. From there we can conclude that Hindu culture has entered the Kingdom of Kutai.

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