The Pajajaran Kingdom—The Great kingdom in West Java

The Pajajaran Kingdom, an ancient Sundanese empire in West Java. Uncover its royal legacy, cultural heritage, and influence on Indonesia’s historical journey.”

The kingdom is the oldest kingdom on the island of Java.

One of the largest is the Pajajaran kingdom.

The History of Indonesia

Hi guys, Previously, I wrote a topic about history and culture in West Java.

today I will continue writing a short article about a large kingdom in West Java, namely the Pajajaran kingdom

an ancient Sundanesian kingdom that is famous but has now been forgotten.

As we know, Indonesia is a country that has a long history in its formation.

Before becoming the Republic of Indonesia, this country was a country consisting of many kingdoms.

Such as the Majapahit kingdom in east Java, the Mataram kingdom in central Java, and Yogyakarta,

Sriwijaya kingdom in Palembang in Sumatra, Bone kingdom in Sulawesi

And also the kingdom of Pajajaran in West Java.

The History of The Pajajaran Kingdom

It was a continuation of the kingdoms that stood before, such as the Tarumanegara Kingdom, Galuh Kingdom, Kawali Kingdom, and Sunda Kingdom.

According to the Sanghyang Tapak Inscription, the person who founded the kingdom was Sri Jayabhupati.

It was a Hindu-style kingdom in West Java with Pakuan as its capital (now Bogor).

In its heyday, the kingdom that was established in 923 AD was a strong kingdom and covered around one-third to one-eighth of the island of Java.

In 1428, Sri Baduga Maharaja, or Prabu Siliwangi, was crowned to receive the throne of the Sunda Kingdom and Galuh Kingdom twice.

The coronation also became the final period of the Sunda Kingdom and the Galuh Kingdom and the beginning of the Pajajaran Kingdom period with Pakuan Pajajaran as its capital.

The Glorious Period of The Pajajaran Kingdom

Under Sri Baduga Maharaja’s leadership, the Pajajaran Kingdom reached its zenith.

The Pajajaran Kingdom at that time was in a state of peace and order.

Sri Baduga Maharaja himself was able to lead his people by upholding the principle of equality in social life.

One of the policies that he implemented at that time was to free the population from four kinds of taxes.

He was also committed to fostering religion, making roads, building defense trenches, and strengthening the army. Especially for the latter, Sri Baduga succeeded in making the Pajajaran Kingdom have a strong army.

It was recorded that the kingdom had 100 thousand soldiers and 40 elephant troops when led by Sri Baduga.

The Arrival of Islam

The introduction of Islam to the region is often attributed to the influence of Muslim traders and scholars who traversed the maritime routes of the Indian Ocean.

The peaceful coexistence of Hinduism and Buddhism with Islam in other parts of the archipelago laid the groundwork for the gradual adoption of the new faith.

The Pajajaran Kingdom, situated at the crossroads of these influences, witnessed the emergence of a syncretic society.

Syncretism and Coexistence

In the early stages of Islamic influence, syncretism allowed for the coexistence of Hindu and Islamic elements in the Pajajaran Kingdom.

This period saw the blending of cultural practices, religious rituals, and artistic expressions.

Temples and mosques stood side by side, and people observed a harmonious fusion of traditions.

However, as the Islamic community gained strength, a shift in the kingdom’s identity became inevitable.

Key Figures and Events

The conversion of Pajajaran from Hinduism to Islam was a gradual process, marked by key figures and significant events.

One notable figure is Sunan Gunung Jati, a revered Islamic scholar, and preacher, who played a pivotal role in spreading Islam in the region.

His teachings and diplomatic skills helped forge alliances with local rulers, contributing to the peaceful transition of power.

The Rise of the Islamic Sultanate

The turning point came in the 16th century when Prince Walangsungsang, the son of King Siliwangi, converted to Islam and assumed the name Sultan Maulana Yusuf.

This marked the official shift of Pajajaran from a Hindu kingdom to an Islamic sultanate.

The transformation had profound implications for the kingdom’s political structure, administration, and cultural practices.

The collapse of the Pajajaran Kingdom

The collapse was marked by the carrying of Palangka Sriman Sriwacana, aka the throne of the Pajajaran Kingdom, from Pakuan it’s occurred in 1579

The throne was brought by Maulana Yusuf, who was the leader of the Banten Sultanate.

The transfer of the throne was carried out so that later there would be no coronation of a new king in the Pajajaran Kingdom.

The remaining courtiers of the Pajajaran Kingdom began to leave the kingdom and settled in the Lebak Regency area of Banten.

There, they settled and lived a strict old way of life.

Today, these people are known as the Baduy people.

Impact on Society In Pajajaran

The conversion to Islam brought about changes in various aspects of  the Pajaran society.

The legal system shifted to adhere to Islamic law, and mosques replaced some of the Hindu temples.

The arts and literature also underwent transformation, as Islamic aesthetics and themes began to influence cultural expressions.

Despite these changes, the syncretic spirit persisted in the region, contributing to the unique blend of Hindu-Buddhist and Islamic elements that characterize West Java’s cultural heritage.