The Collapse of the Kediri Kingdom: History and Legacy

The Collapse of the Kingdom of Kediri: History and Legacy – The Kingdom of Kediri or the Kingdom of Kadiri or the Kingdom of Panjalu was a kingdom that existed in East Java between 1042-1222. The kingdom was in the city of Daha which is located around the City of Kediri Now. At this time About the knowledge.co.id will discuss the story of the collapse of the kingdom of Kediri. Let's look at the discussion together in the article below to better understand it.

The Collapse of the Kediri Kingdom: History and Legacy

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Kediri got its heyday during the reign of King Jayabaya. The King, who is known for his magical powers and can solve problems with his predictions, is known to be always 'clairvoyant' and 'understand sak durunge winarah'. Even now many people know and still believe in what is called the Term Jayabaya.

The situation has gradually turned around since the King of Kediri was ruled by King Kertajaya as the successor to King Jayabaya. At that time, the people of Kediri, as devout Hindus, were provoked by agents sent by Ken Arok from Tumapel. Ken Arok's playing was so neat that the Hindu clerics in Kediri did not recognize him news spread in the community that Kertajaya ordered people to worship him as God.

The Kediri Brahmins thought that the Kertajaya king had insulted religion at that time. Several attempts were made to talk to Kertajaya. However, because Kertajaya himself did not feel ordered like that, Kertajaya responded with the assumption that all of this was not true.

Feeling being played with by Kertajaya, the Brahmins who felt they were defending their beliefs gathered strength himself by planning to ask Tumapel for help, which at that time was a subordinate area of ​​the kingdom Kediri. The leader of Tumapel was Akuwu Ken Arok – the current camat equivalent – ​​after Ken Arok had killed Tunggul Ametung, namely Akuwu before.

Ken Arok welcomed the Brahmins' desire to fight Kertajaya, because this was what he had hoped for. The Brahmins at that time saw that Ken Arok was very much on the side of the Brahmins and wanted to restore the glory of the religion that was considered insulted by Kertajaya at that time.

In 1254 there was a war between Kertajaya and the Brahmins who were assisted by Ken Arok from Tumapel. According to the Negarakertagama book, the war broke out in Ganter Village. The war was finally won by the Tumapel side with the Brahmins.

However, to the surprise of the Brahmins, it turned out that Ken Arok's good intentions to help, as previously said, were based on this the same belief turned out to carry a hidden mission, namely wanting to liberate Tumapel which was previously under power Kediri. Ken Arok's plan, which he had prepared long ago involving the religious emotions of the Brahmins, succeeded smoothly. He pitted the Brahmins against their own king, namely Kertajaya. Kediri has been in decline since Kertajaya was defeated and died.

Ken Arok then proclaimed the Tumapel kingdom with the title Sri Rajasa Bhatara Sang Amurwabhum. Based on the Kudadu inscription, the real official name of the Singasari Kingdom was the Tumapel Kingdom. According to Nagarakertagama, when it was first founded in 1222, the capital of the Tumapel Kingdom was called Kutaraja.

This is where the ambition for the founding of the Singasari kingdom was built by utilizing a cunning rebellion who took the religious sentiments of the time where the Brahmins were influenced and then dared to rebel the king.

After Ken Arok defeated Kertajaya, Kediri became a territory under the control of the Singosari Kingdom. Ken Arok appointed Jayasabha, son of Kertajaya, as Regent of Kediri. In 1258 Jayasabha was replaced by his son named Sastrajaya. In 1271 Sastrajaya was succeeded by his son, namely Jayakatwang. In 1292 Jayakatwang became regent shaking his head. During his time as regent, Jayakatwang rebelled against Singosari led by Kertanegara, because of grudges in the past where his ancestor, Kertajaya, was defeated by Ken Arok.

After successfully killing Kertanegara, Jayakatwang rebuilt the Kediri Kingdom, but only lasted one year. This happened because of a joint attack launched by the Mongol troops and the troops of Kertanegara's son-in-law, Raden Wijaya.

In 1293, the Mongol army sent by Emperor Kublai Khan came to take revenge against Kertanegara. This situation was used by Raden Wijaya to attack Jayakatwang. Raden Wijaya then cooperated with the Mongol army and Madurese troops under the leadership of Arya Wiraraja to attack Kediri. In that war Jayakatwang's troops lost and after that there was no more news about the Kingdom of Kediri.

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Early History of the Formation of the Kingdom of Kediri

The Kingdom of Kediri is one of several large and influential kingdoms in the archipelago. Kadiri or also known as Panjalu was an East Javanese kingdom in 1042 to 1222 which was centered in the City of Daha which is now the City of Kediri. The city of Daha itself existed before the Kediri Kingdom was founded and Daha is an abbreviation of Dahanapura which means city of fire. This can be seen from a Pamwatan inscription from Airlangga in 1042.

The establishment of the Kediri Kingdom began with the decision of King Airlangga as the leader of the last Ancient Mataram Kingdom. He divided the kingdom into two parts, namely the Kingdom of Jenggala or Kahuripan and Panjalu or Kediri.

This started in 1042. The two sons of King Airlangga fought over the throne of the ancient Mataram kingdom. So King Airlangga was forced to split the kingdom into two parts. As a result of the civil war, the Panjalu Kingdom was given to Sri Samarawijaya and the Jenggala Kingdom was given to Mapanji Garasakan.

As stated in the Meaenga Inscription, it was stated that Panjalu could be controlled by Jenggala and the name of Raja Mapanji Garasakan was immortalized. However, in the following war, the Kediri Panjalu Kingdom managed to control all of Airlangga's thrones.

These two kingdoms are separated by Gunung Kawi and the Brantas River. The goal is that there is no conflict. The Janggala or Kahuripan kingdom consisted of Malang and the Brantas River Delta region.

In detail, the territory of the Jenggala Kingdom originated from the ports of Surabaya, Rembang and Pasuruhan, and the capital city was Kahuripan. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Panjalu or Kediri includes the regions of Kediri, Madiun, and the capital city, Daha.

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Genealogy of the Kings of the Kingdom of Kediri

Below are some of the royal genealogy of Kediri, including:

• King Sri Jayawarsa

It can only be known from the Sirah Keting inscription (1104 AD). During his reign, King Jayawarsa gave gifts to the villagers as a token of appreciation, because the people had contributed to the King. From the inscription it is known that King Jayawarsa was very concerned about the community (the people) and tried to improve the welfare of his people.

• King Bameswara (1117AD)

Many left inscriptions such as those found in the Tulung Agung and Kertosono areas. Inscriptions like those found contain mostly religious matters so it is very well known about the circumstances of his government.

• King Jayabaya (1135-1157M)

The Kingdom of Kediri experienced a golden age when it was ruled by King Jayabaya. The glorious success of the Kingdom of Kediri was supported by the emergence of prominent scholars, Empu Sedah, Panuluh, Darmaja, Triguna and Manoguna. They are jalma sulaksana, plenary human beings who have attained the degree of torching the universe. Under the leadership of King Jayabaya, the Kingdom of Kediri reached the pinnacle of civilization as evidenced by the birth of law books and statehood as gathered in the kakawin Baratayuda, Gathutkacasraya, and Hariwangsa which until now is a spiritual legacy high quality.

Prabu Jayabaya's leadership strategy in prospering his people was indeed very admirable (Gonda, 1925: 111). The kingdom, whose capital is Dahono Puro under the foot of Mount Kelud, has very fertile soil, so that all kinds of plants grow green. Agriculture and plantations are abundant. In the middle of the city divides the flow of the Brantas river. The water is clear and many live a variety of fish, so protein and nutritious food is always fulfilled. The produce is then transported to the town of Jenggala, near Surabaya, by boat along the river. The wheel of the economy ran smoothly so that the kingdom of Kediri really can be called a country that gemah ripah loh jinawi tata tenrem karta raharja.

King Jayabaya reigned between 1130-1157 AD. Prabu Jayabaya's spiritual and material support in terms of law and government was unmitigated. His people's attitude and far-sighted vision made King Jayabaya worthy of being remembered for all time. If the common people remember him to this day, it shows that during his time in power his actions were always wise and just towards his people.

Besides being a great king. King Jayabaya was also known as a fortune teller or fortune teller. His predictions are collected in a book called Jongko Joyoboyo. In his prediction, King Jayabaya mentions several things such as a fair queen who will rule Indonesia.

• King Sri Saweswara

As a religious and culturally devout king, Prabu Sarwaswera adhered to the principle of tat wam asi, which means you are you, you are (all of them), all creatures are you. According to Prabu Sarwaswera, the ultimate goal of human life is moksha, namely the unification of the soul with paramatma. The right path is that which leads to oneness, anything that hinders oneness is not right.

• King Sri Aryeswara

Sri Aryeswara was the king of Kadiri who ruled around 1171. The name of his abhiseka title is Sri Maharaja Rake Hino Sri Aryeswara Madhusudanawatara Arijamuka. It is not known exactly when Sri Aryeswara ascended the throne. Its historical legacy is the Wind inscription, March 23, 1171. The symbol of the Kadiri kingdom at that time was Ganesha. It is also not known when his reign ended. According to the Jaring inscription, the next King of Kadiri was Sri Gandra.

• King Sri Gandra

The reign of King Gandra (1181 AD) can be known from the Jaring Inscription, namely the use of animal names in ranks such as the names of elephants, kebo and rats. These names indicate the high and low rank of a person in the palace.

• King Sri Kameswara

During the reign of King Kameswara (1182-1185 AD), literary arts experienced very rapid development. Among them, Empu Dharmaja composed Smaradhana. Even during his reign, Panji stories were also known, such as the Panji Semirang story.

• King Sri Kertajaya (1190-1222 AD)

Is the last king of the Kingdom of Kediri. Raja Kertajaya is also known as Dandang Gendis. During his reign, the stability of the kingdom declined.

Many Brahmins fled and asked for help from Tumapel, who was ruled by Ken Arok at that time. Knowing this. King Kertajaya then prepared troops to attack Tumapel. Meanwhile. Ken Arok, with the support of the Brahmins, made an attack on the Kediri Kingdom. The two armies met near Ganter (AD 1222). In that battle the troops from Kediri were destroyed. King Kertajaya managed to escape (but his fate is not known for certain). The power of the Kediri Kingdom ended and it became a subordinate area of ​​the Tumapel Kingdom.

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The Heyday of the Kingdom of Kediri

Not much is known about the events in the early days of the Kediri Kingdom. King Kameswara (1116-1136) married Dewi Kirana, daughter of the Janggala Kingdom. Thus, in the end Janggala was reunited with Kediri. Kediri became a fairly strong kingdom in Java. At this time, the book Kakawin Smaradahana was written by Mpu Dharmaja, which is known in Javanese literature with the Panji story. Likewise, Mpu Tanakung wrote the books Kakawin Lubdaka and Wertasancaya

The famous king of Kediri was Jayabaya (1135-1159). Jayabaya was later known as the "forecaster" of Indonesia's future. During his reign, Kediri expanded its territory to the coast of Borneo. At this time too, Ternate became a subordinate kingdom under Kediri. At that time Kediri had a fairly formidable fleet. He is also well known for having commissioned the composition of the Kakawin Bharatayuddha, which was initiated by Mpu Sedah and later completed by Mpu Panuluh.

King Kertajaya who ruled (1185-1222), known as a cruel king, even asked the people to worship him. This caused him to be opposed by the brahmins. Kertajaya was the last king of the Kadiri kingdom.

The discovery of the Tondowongso Site in early 2007, which is believed to be a relic of the Kadiri Kingdom, is expected to open up more mysteries.

Community Life of the Kingdom of Kediri

Kediri is a maritime agrarian kingdom. Kediri's economy originates from trade, animal husbandry and agriculture for people who live in rural areas. While those on the coast depend on trade and shipping. They have established trade relations with Maluku and Srivijaya. Kediri is known as a producer of rice, cotton and silkworms. The Kingdom of Kediri is quite prosperous, this can be seen in the ability of the Kingdom to provide a steady income to its employees even though they are only paid with produce.

This information is based on the book Chi-fan-Chi (1225) by Chau Ju-kua, which says that Su-ki-tan, which is part of She-po (Java), already has conquered areas. Experts estimate that Su-ki-tan is a kingdom in East Java, and which is none other than the Kingdom of Kediri. It is also possible that Su-ki-tan is a port city that has been known to traders from abroad, including China.

His government was very concerned about the condition of his people so that agriculture, trade and animal husbandry progressed quite rapidly.

Groups in the Kediri community are divided into three based on their position in the royal government, namely:

• Central social group (kingdom): people who are in the environment of the king and some of his relatives and his group of servants.
• Farming community group (regional): community group consisting of officials or government officials in the farming area (regional).
• Non-governmental community groups: groups of people who do not have a position and relationship with the government officially or are self-employed people.

Social life

The social life of the Kediri people is quite good because people's welfare has increased, people live in peace. In the book Ling-wai-tai-ta (1178) by Chou-Ku-fei which explains that the Kediri people wear cloth up to his knees, his hair was loose, the houses were orderly and clean, the tiled floors were green and yellow. Agriculture and trade had advanced, wrong people were fined with gold. Thieves and robbers were killed, silver coins were used, sick people did not use medicine but asked Gods or Buddhas for healing.

Every 5th month a water party is held, the musical instruments used are flutes, drums, and a wooden xylophone. With a safe and peaceful community life, art can develop, including the most advanced literature, especially ancient Javanese literature. However, the literary works of the Kediri Kingdom did not reveal much about the state of government and society at that time. During the Kameswara era, the development of literary works reached its heyday.

Cultural Life

The 12th century AD has a very important meaning in the next period. The Kingdom of Kediri left many lessons to develop its empire including:

• A country can progress if the economic conditions are stable.
• The political situation must be stable so that the strength of the nation is not lacking.
• Cultural life must be expanded, to add to the glory of the nation.

The literary works produced during the reign of Kediri, namely:

• Kresnayana, from the reign of King Jayawarsa.
• Bharatayuda, written by Empu Sedah and Empu Panuluh.
• Arjuna Wiwaha, by Empu Kanwa.
• Hariwangsa, written by Empu Panuluh.
• Bhamakarya, the author is unclear.
• Smaradhana, by Empu Dharmaja.
• Wartasancaya and Lubdhaka by Empu Tanakung

Political Life

The reign of Mapanji Garasakan was not long, then he was succeeded by King Mapanji Alanjung (1052 – 1059 AD). Subsequently, Mapanji Alanjung was replaced by Sri Maharaja Samarotsaha. The continuous fighting between Jenggala and Panjalu left no clear news regarding the two kingdoms for 60 years until the name of King Bameswara (1116-1135 AD) appeared from Kediri.

At that time, the capital of Panjalu moved from Daha to Kediri so that this kingdom was known as the Kingdom of Kediri. During the reign of King Bameswara, he wore a royal badge in the form of a fanged skull above the crescent moon called Candrakapala. After King Bameswara abdicated, he was replaced by Jayabaya and during his reign he succeeded in defeating Jenggala. After Jayabaya, the king of kediri kept changing.

In 1019 AD, Airlangga was crowned the King of Medang Kemulan. When he ruled he managed to restore the authority of the kingdom. He moved the center of government to Kahuripan and succeeded in bringing the kingdom to the pinnacle of glory. But before his lifetime, Airlangga decided to resign from the government and became an ascetic known as Resi Gentayu.

The throne that should fall to a daughter named Sri Sanggramawijaya who was born from the empress, but because he chose to become a hermit, the throne passed to the son of Airlangga who was born of a concubine. To avoid civil war, the Kingdom was divided into two, namely the Kingdom of Jenggala (Kahuripan) and the Kingdom of Panjalu (Kediri). However, the attempt failed. Precisely the two kingdoms fought each other with the end of the defeat of Jenggala and then the two were reunited by the government of the kingdom of Kediri.

Economic life

The kingdom of Kediri is an agricultural and maritime kingdom. Because they have fertile soil, many inland communities have a livelihood as farmers with abundant agricultural produce.

Meanwhile, people living in coastal areas live through trade and shipping. At that time the development of both was very rapid, even kediri traders already had trade relations with Maluku and Sriwijaya.

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Relics of the Kingdom of Kediri

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Inscription Remains

Historical sources of the Kediri kingdom can be traced from several inscriptions and foreign news including:

• Banjaran Inscription dating to 1052 AD describes Panjalu's victory over Jenggala.
• Hantang Inscription dating from 1052 AD describes Panjalu during the Jayabaya period.
• Sirah Keting Inscription (1104 AD), contains the gift of land to the villagers by Jayawarsa.
• Inscriptions found in Tulungagung and Kertosono contains religious issues, comes from king Bameswara.
• The Ngantang Inscription (1135M), mentions the king Jayabaya who gave a gift to the people of Ngantang village a piece of land free of taxes.
• Net Stele (1181M), from the king of Gandra which contains a number of official names using animal names such as Kebo Waruga and Tikus Jinada.
• Kamulan Inscription (1194M), contains the reign of Kertajaya, where Kediri succeeded in defeating enemies who had been hostile to the Katang-Katang palace.
• Penataran Temple: The grandest and widest temple in East Java is located on the southwest slope of Mount Kelud, north of Blitar, at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. From the inscriptions stored in the temple, it is estimated that this temple was built during the time of King Srengga from the Kingdom of Kediri around 1200 AD and continued to be used until the reign of Wikramawardhana, King of the Majapahit Kingdom ca year 1415.
• Gurah Temple: Gurah Temple is located in a district in Kediri, East Java. In 1957 a temple was discovered which was approximately 2 km from the Tondowongso site called Gurah Temple but due to lack of funds the temple was reburied.
• Tondowongso Temple: The Tondowongso site is an archaeological site discovered in early 2007 in Tondowongso Hamlet, Kediri, East Java. The site covering an area of ​​just over one hectare is considered the greatest find of the classical period history of Indonesia in the last 30 years (since the discovery of the Batujaya Baths Complex), though Prof. Soekmono once found a statue from the same location in 1957. The discovery of this site began with the discovery of a number of statues by a number of local brick craftsmen. Based on the shape and style of the inlays found, this site is believed to be a relic of the past Early Kediri Kingdom (XI century), the early days of the transfer of the political center from the Central Java region to Java East. So far, the Kingdom of Kediri is known from a number of literary works, but not much is known about its heritage in the form of buildings or sculptures.
• Vajrasattva Buddha statue: This Vajrasattva Buddha statue comes from the era of the Kingdom of Kediri (X/XI century). And now it is a collection of the Museum für Indische Kunst, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany.
• Galunggung inscription: The Galunggung inscription has a height of about 160 cm, a top width of 80 cm, a bottom width of 75 cm. This inscription is located in Rejotangan, Tulungagung. Around the Galunggung inscription there are many inscriptions using ancient Javanese letters. The writing is neatly lined up. In total there are 20 lines that can still be seen by the eye. Meanwhile, on the other hand, some of the letters in the inscription have been lost because they have been damaged with age. On the front, there is a circular symbol. In the center of the circle is a rectangle with several logos. The number 1123 C is also written on one side of the inscription.
• Tuban Temple: In 1967, when the wave of the 1965 tragedy hit Tulungagung. Iconoclastic action, namely the action of destroying cultural icons and objects that are considered idols occurs. Miri Gambar Temple was spared from being vandalized because village officials forbade damage to this temple and the temple area which was considered haunted. The crowd turned to Tuban Temple, so named because this temple is located in Tuban Hamlet, Domasan Village, Kalidawir District, Tulungagung Regency. This temple is located about 500 meters from Mirifigur Temple. Tuban Temple itself is only the foot of the temple. After being damaged, the temple was buried and now above the temple stands goat, chicken and duck pens. According to Mr. Suyoto, if residents want to dig it again, then approximately half to one meter from the ground, the foundations of Tuban Temple can be exposed and are still relatively intact. The destruction of the Tuban Temple was also based on the legend that the Tuban Temple depicted the male character Aryo Damar, in the legend of Angling Dharma and if the male is destroyed, then it can be considered as victory.
• Panumbangan Inscription: On August 2, 1120 Maharaja Bameswara issued the Panumbangan inscription regarding the request Panumbangan villagers to have their charter written on palm leaves rewritten above rock. The inscription contains the designation of Panumbangan village as sima swatantra by the previous king who was buried in Gajapada. The previous king referred to in this inscription is thought to be Sri Jayawarsa.
• Talan Inscription: The Talan/Munggut inscription is located in Gurit Hamlet, Blitar Regency. This inscription dates from 1058 Saka (1136 AD). This inscription stamp is in the form of Garudhamukalancana at the top of the inscription in the form of a human body with the head of an eagle and wings. The contents of this inscription relate to sima's gift to Talan Village which is included in the Panumbangan region showing an inscription on palm leaves with the Garudamukha royal seal they received from Bhatara Guru in 961 Saka (January 27 1040 AD) and designated Talan Village in their territory as sima who are free from tax dues obligations so they request that the inscription be moved on the stone with a stamp the kingdom of Narasingha. King Jayabhaya granted the request of the people of Talan because of their extreme loyalty to the king and added gifts of various kinds of privileges.

The Relics of the Book

In the era of the kingdom of Kediri, the development of literary works such as books. Here are some books from the kingdom of Kediri, including:

• Wertasancaya book essay by Empu Tan Akung which contains instructions on how to make good poetry.
• The Smaradhahana Book which was composed by Empu Dharmaja and contains praise to the king as an incarnation of the god Kama. This book also mentions that the name of the capital city of his kingdom was Dahana.
• Lubdaka book written by Empu Tan Akung which contains the story of Lubdaka as a hunter who should go to hell. Because of his special worship, he was helped by a god and his spirit was lifted up to heaven.
• Kresnayana Book essay by Empu Triguna which contains a history of Kresna as a naughty boy, but loved by everyone because he is helpful and powerful.
• The Samanasantaka Book written by Empu Monaguna which tells the story of the famous Angel Harini for Begawan Trenawindu.
• Bharatayuda Book changed by Empu Sedah and Empu Panuluh.
• The Gatotkacasraya Book and the Hariwangsa Book changed by Empu Panuluh.

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