Sri Sanjaya
Encyclopedia
King Sri Sanjaya was the founder of Mataram Kingdom
and also the Sanjaya Dynasty
during the eighth century. His name was revealed in the AD 732 Sanskrit
inscription carved in stone found at the foot of Ukir (or Wukir) hill (about 340 m (1,115.5 ft) high) on the southern Kedu Plain
in Central Java
. The inscription also states that Sanjaya was an ardent follower of Shaivism
, in contrast with his Buddhist rival of the Sailendra
s. The latter was forced to move eastward by Sanjaya as written in an old Chinese
report, whom named Sanjaya as Chi-Yen.
Sanjaya was also known as Rakai Mataram with the additional title of 'Sang Ratu Sanjaya'. The title rakai (from raka or rake meaning 'lord of') indicates any members of nobility from a king to a simple squire. The name of King Sanjaya Saga was also mentioned in the old romanticized and mythicized Sundanese
manuscript of Carita Parahyangan
(or Parahyangan Story) in which Sanjaya was portrayed as the Sundanese king hero of Galuh.
Sanjaya accession to his throne was proclaimed in the Ukir inscription and it was accomplished by force because he was the son of Sannaha (the previous ruler) to save the country from destruction. An analysis to the inscription, which marked as a warning to vassal state
s and defeated kings, suggests that the Ukir hill was the first center of Mataram Kingdom. Sanjaya or his successor Panamkarana (AD 746 — 784) later moved the kraton between AD 742—755, as written in a Chinese annal.
Another recorded source of Sanjaya's history and his successors was found in the Balitung charter
. Balitung
mentioned what it is called 'the builders of kraton', starting from Rakai Mataram (Sanjaya) followed by the Maharaja Rakai Panangkaran
, Panunggalan, Warak, Garung, Pikatan, Kayuwangi, Watuhumalang and Watukura (which is Balitung himself).
Mataram Kingdom
The Medang or Mataram Kingdom was a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that flourished between the 8th and 10th centuries CE. It was based in Central Java, and later in East Java. Established by King Sanjaya, the founder of the Sanjaya dynasty, the kingdom was ruled by the Sailendra and Sanjaya families...
and also the Sanjaya Dynasty
Sanjaya Dynasty
The Sañjaya Dynasty was an ancient Javanese dynasty that ruled the Mataram kingdom in Java during first millennium CE. The dynasty was an active promoter of Hinduism in ancient Java.-Origin and formation:...
during the eighth century. His name was revealed in the AD 732 Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
inscription carved in stone found at the foot of Ukir (or Wukir) hill (about 340 m (1,115.5 ft) high) on the southern Kedu Plain
Kedu Plain
Kedu Plain is the fertile volcanic plain that lies between the volcanoes Mount Sumbing and Mount Sundoro to the west, and Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi to the east on Central Java, Indonesia. The plain also bordering the Menoreh hills in the southwest and Prambanan Plain in the southeast...
in Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
. The inscription also states that Sanjaya was an ardent follower of Shaivism
Shaivism
Shaivism is one of the four major sects of Hinduism, the others being Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Followers of Shaivism, called "Shaivas," and also "Saivas" or "Saivites," revere Shiva as the Supreme Being. Shaivas believe that Shiva is All and in all, the creator, preserver, destroyer,...
, in contrast with his Buddhist rival of the Sailendra
Sailendra
Sailendra is the name of an influential Indonesian dynasty that emerged in 8th century Java.The Sailendras were active promoters of Mahayana Buddhism and covered the Kedu Plain of Central Java with Buddhist monuments, including the world famous Borobudur.The Sailendras are considered to be a...
s. The latter was forced to move eastward by Sanjaya as written in an old Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
report, whom named Sanjaya as Chi-Yen.
Sanjaya was also known as Rakai Mataram with the additional title of 'Sang Ratu Sanjaya'. The title rakai (from raka or rake meaning 'lord of') indicates any members of nobility from a king to a simple squire. The name of King Sanjaya Saga was also mentioned in the old romanticized and mythicized Sundanese
Sundanese language
Sundanese is the language of about 27 million people from the western third of Java or about 15% of the Indonesian population....
manuscript of Carita Parahyangan
Carita Parahyangan
Carita Parahyangan is a text contained in a single manuscript, registered as kropak 406 from the former collection of the Bataviaasch Genootschap voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen , now in the Perpustakaan National in Jakarta...
(or Parahyangan Story) in which Sanjaya was portrayed as the Sundanese king hero of Galuh.
Sanjaya accession to his throne was proclaimed in the Ukir inscription and it was accomplished by force because he was the son of Sannaha (the previous ruler) to save the country from destruction. An analysis to the inscription, which marked as a warning to vassal state
Vassal state
A vassal state is any state that is subordinate to another. The vassal in these cases is the ruler, rather than the state itself. Being a vassal most commonly implies providing military assistance to the dominant state when requested to do so; it sometimes implies paying tribute, but a state which...
s and defeated kings, suggests that the Ukir hill was the first center of Mataram Kingdom. Sanjaya or his successor Panamkarana (AD 746 — 784) later moved the kraton between AD 742—755, as written in a Chinese annal.
Another recorded source of Sanjaya's history and his successors was found in the Balitung charter
Mantyasih Inscription
The Mantyasih inscription is an important inscription found in the village of Mateseh, North Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is dated to 907 and was edicted by King Balitung from Sanjaya dynasty, of the Ancient Medang Kingdom...
. Balitung
Balitung
Sri Maharaja Rakai Watukura Dyah Balitung Sri Dharmodaya Mahasambu was the king of the Kingdom of Mataram. He reigned circa 899–911. His territories included Central Java, East Java, and Bali.- Origin :...
mentioned what it is called 'the builders of kraton', starting from Rakai Mataram (Sanjaya) followed by the Maharaja Rakai Panangkaran
Panangkaran
Panangkaran was the ruler of Mataram Kingdom between AD 760—780, the kingdom of which its power centralized on Java island of Indonesia. Crowned as Rakai Panangkaran, he was the immediate successor of Sri Sanjaya, the founder of Sanjaya Dynasty...
, Panunggalan, Warak, Garung, Pikatan, Kayuwangi, Watuhumalang and Watukura (which is Balitung himself).