King Airlangga: Rose from the Grave to Rule Java

Prabu or King Airlangga was born in 990, from a father who was a king of the Bedahulu kingdom from the Warmadewa Dynasty named Udayana, and a mother named Mahendradatta, a princess of the Medang kingdom from the Isyana Dynasty. Airlangga married his uncle's daughter, Dharmawangsa Tegu. During their wedding, the city of Wwatan was attacked by King Wurawari. The incident resulted in Airlangga's father and the entire royal family being killed, the Wwatan Palace burning down, and Airlangga fleeing to the Wonogiri mountain forest accompanied by his servant named Mpu Narotama. Since this incident, he began his life journey as an ascetic, when he was still 26 years old. In 1019, several people and loyal Senopati came to Airlangga to convey their request that Airlangga rebuild the remains of Medang's glory. Finally, with the encouragement of the priests, he then revived the Medang kingdom whose palace had been destroyed.

The People and Airlangga's Troops Marching to the New Capital (Source: Personal Collection)

Airlangga built a new capital city named Watan Mas on the slopes of Mount Penanggungan. When Airlangga ascended the throne, his kingdom only covered the areas of Mojokerto, Sidoarjo and Pasuruan, because after the death of King Dharmawangsa Teguh, many subordinate areas broke away. In 1025, Rajendra Coladewa, king of Colamendala, Chola Kingdom, India, defeated the Srivijaya Kingdom in Sumatra, which was a major enemy of the Isyana dynasty. Airlangga took this opportunity to prepare himself to conquer Java. Between 1029 and 1037, Airlangga conquered his enemies in the east, south and west. With the weakening of Airlangga's enemies due to the Chola kingdom's attacks, he began to expand his power and influence. 

Airlangga devised a strategy to restore the power of the Isyana dynasty over Java. First, he defeated King Hasin from South Wenker. Then in 1029, Airlangga defeated Wisnuprabhawa, king of Wuratan, son of another vassal king who had previously attacked Dharmawangsa Teguh, then he defeated Wijayawarmma, king of Wengker, and then Panuda, king of Lewa. In 1031, Panuda's son, king of Lewa, tried to take revenge but was defeated by Airlangga, Airlangga also destroyed the capital of Lewa. In the same year, Queen Dyah Tulodong managed to defeat Airlangga's troops, even destroying the Watan Mas Palace and forcing Airlangga to flee to Patakan Village, Sambeng, Lamongan accompanied by his servant Mapanji Tumanggala. 

In 1032 (954 Saka), Queen Lodoyong who had previously destroyed the Watan Mas palace was finally defeated by Airlangga's troops. Then, at the end of 1032, Airlangga with Mpu Narotama also defeated King Wurawari and avenged the Isyana Dynasty family. In 1035 (957 Saka), Airlangga ended the rebellion of Wijayawarmma, the king of the Wengker region whom Airlangga had previously defeated in 1029. According to the Kamalagyan inscription, Wijayawarmma fled from Tapa City but died killing his own people. 

The kingdom with its centre in Kahuripan stretched from Pasuruan in the east to Madiun in the west. The north coast of Java, especially Surabaya and Tuban, became important trading centres for the first time. The kingdom centred in Kahuripan had an area stretching from Pasuruan in the east to Madiun in the west. The north coast of Java, such as Surabaya and Tuban, became important trading centres for the first time. Airlangga ascended the throne with the title of abhiseka (graduation) Çri Mahãrãja Rakai Halu Çri Lokeçwara Dharmmawamça Airlangga Anãntawikramottunggadewa. With the situation starting to be safe, Airlangga began to carry out developments for the welfare of his people.

In the Turun Hyang inscription issued by Prabu Airlangga, it is stated that in 1036 AD he built a centre for education and religious teaching called Sriwijaya Asrama. To prevent seasonal flooding, Prabu Airlangga built a dam called the Waringin Sapta Abad Dam. The Brantas River, which often overflowed and always caused damage to rice fields, was dammed by building the Waringin Sapta embankment. In 1037 AD, King Airlangga repaired the Ujung Galuh port in the city of Surabaya. This development made the Ujung Galuh port a busy port visited by traders from outside the island. King Airlangga also built many roads to connect the coastal areas to the centre of the kingdom. According to the Pucangan Inscription, in 1041 AD, Prabu Airlangga also built a hermitage on Mount Pucangan. 

Prabu Airlangga is also said to have moved the centre of the kingdom from Kahuripan to Daha according to the Pamwatan inscription. This happened because Prabu Airlangga and his followers were still on alert for an attack on the kingdom he built. In the Kakawin Nagarakretagama written by Mpu Prapañca, it is stated that Airlangga had moved the capital again and ruled from Daha in the Panjalu region. This Kekawin also mentions the event of the division of the kingdom. 

King Airlangga Inaugurates His New Kingdom (Source: Personal Collection)

In 1042, Airlangga divided his kingdom into two areas. Prabu Airlangga appointed Mpu Bharada to determine the border between the western and eastern parts. This led to the establishment of two new kingdoms, namely the western kingdom centred in the new capital, Daha, which was controlled by Sri Samarawijaya. Then there was the eastern kingdom in the Janggala region centred in the old capital, Kahuripan, and was ruled by Mapanji Garasakan. In the Pamwatan inscription dated November 20, 1042, Airlangga still had the title of Maharaja. However, in the Gandhakuti Inscription dated November 24, 1042, he was given the title Resi Aji Paduka Mpungku. From the two previous pieces of evidence, Airlangga is thought to have divided the kingdom between the two dates.

Based on folklore, Airlangga's crown princess resigned as king and chose to live as an ascetic named Dewi Kili Suci. According to Serat Calon Arang, Airlangga was confused about choosing his successor because his two sons were fighting over his throne. Airlangga intended to place one of his sons to become king of Bali. It was once mentioned in the Pasar Legi inscription that Airlangga and Sanggramawijaya Tunggadewi were still running the government, also because Airlangga's priestly title was Resi Aji, it can also be concluded that he was a priest king. This means that Airlangga and his daughter still held the highest power.

3 Statues found in the Tomb of Resi Aji Paduka Mpungku (Source: Personal Collection)

According to the Pucangan inscription, at the tomb of Resi Aji Paduka Mpungku who was buried in the Petirtaan Belahan on the slopes of Mount Penanggungan, a statue of the god Vishnu was found accompanied by two goddesses. The three statues are thought to be symbols of Airlangga with his two wives, Mrs. Sri Samarawijaya and Mrs. Mapanji Garasakan. At Petirtaan Belahan, the number 1049 was found, but the meaning of the number is not yet known for sure, whether it is the year of Airlangga's death or the year the bathing temple was built.