Indonesian History – king Dharmawangsa Full History – For reasons unknown, the vigorous Hindu existence in Central Java ended at about the end of the ninth century A.D. and the center of power shifted towards the east, where from the beginning of the tenth century onwards a succession of kings rose to exercise their authority.

king Dharmawangsa
For reasons unknown, the vigorous Hindu existence in Central Java ended at about the end of the ninth century A.D. and the center of power shifted towards the east, where from the beginning of the tenth century onwards a succession of kings rose to exercise their authority.
One of the most important of those early East Javanese kings was Empu Sendok (929-947 A.D.), the founder of the Isyana dynasty who had his seat somewhere south of Surabaya. The dynasty lasted from the year of Sendok’s ascent to 1222 A.D. One of the greatest of the Isyana kings, was Dharm awangsa, who in 991 A.D. attacked the powerful Sumatra-based kingdom of Sriwijaya to secure control of the western Indonesian sealanes, apparently with success.
In 1006, however, Sriwijaya launched a counter-attack. At the same time an insurrection broke out in Dharmawangsa’s own court. The king was killed together with many others in his court and a new ruler ascended the throne. However, one of Dharmawangsa’s son- in-laws, a pious and virtuous prince named Airlangga, escaped and with a band of followers fled into the forest, where he spent many years preparing himself to reclaim the kingdom.
In 1019, supported by loyal Brahmana off icials, Airlangga proclaimed himself King of Kediri, and eventually reigned over a kingdom that spanned not only most of East Java, but also Bali and parts of Central Java. He relinq uished his throne in 1041 to become a recluse,

known by the name of Resi Gentayu. Himself half-Balinese, Airlangga is still highly revered as one of the greatest of kings that ever ruled Bali.

Category: Discover Indonesia