Singhamandawa: Traces of Ancient Bali Before the Rise of the Warmadewa Dynasty
The Singhamandawa Period (882–914 CE) marked the beginning of a Hindu-Indian patterned kingdom in Bali. Centered in the Kintamani highlands, this kingdom is known from Old Balinese inscriptions, although no ruler’s name was mentioned. The identity of the monarch only appeared with Sri Kesari Warmadewa (913 CE), marking the start of the Warmadewa Dynasty and the organization of the Ancient Balinese governmental system.
The beginning of the establishment of a Hindu-Indian patterned kingdom in Bali took place from the year 882 to 914 CE. This period is known as the Singhamandawa Period, because most of the inscriptions issued at that time mention Singhamandawa as the center of government or the capital. From this, the name of the period was derived. Within this span of time, seven important inscriptions were recorded, namely Prasasti Sukawana A I (804 Saka/882 CE), Prasasti Bebetin A I (818 Saka/896 CE), Prasasti Trunyan A I (883 Saka/911 CE), Prasasti Trunyan B (833 Saka/911 CE), Prasasti Bangli Pura Kehen A, Prasasti Gobleg Pura Desa I (836 Saka/914 CE), and Prasasti Angsari A (836 Saka/914 CE). These inscriptions were written in the Old Balinese language and script, but never mentioned the name of the ruling king. Scholars suspect that Singhamandawa was the center of government or the capital of the kingdom, located in the Kintamani area, Bangli. This assumption arises due to the density of archaeological findings, both inscriptions and other artifacts, spread across that region.
At that time, the center of the kingdom was deliberately placed in the mountainous area. This was related to the Hindu-Buddhist culture that developed during that period, in which the mountain was considered the central point of the universe according to the teaching of Mount Mahameru. For this reason, the Kingdom of Singhamandawa was located in the mountains, which were believed to be sacred and holy places.
AI Illustration of the Kingdom’s Location in the Mountainous Region (Source: Personal Collection)
In Bali, various artifactual remains and written sources in the form of inscriptions have been discovered, providing an overview of the past. From this evidence, it can be understood that the Kingdom of Singhamandawa was the first state institution in Bali with an Indian cultural pattern. A number of inscriptions from this kingdom were written in the Old Balinese language and script, but interestingly, none of them mentioned the name of the ruling king. Information about the king only appeared later in the Prasasti Blanjong 913 CE, which recorded the name Sri Kesari Warmadewa. This figure was later recognized as the founder of the Warmadewa Dynasty in Bali. After the era of Kesari Warmadewa, Old Balinese inscriptions began to mention the names of subsequent kings, some bearing the Warmadewa title and some not, complete with their royal officials. From this record, it is evident that the governmental system in Ancient Bali was already well organized.
AI Illustration of the Atmosphere of the Ancient Balinese Kingdom (Source: Personal Collection)
Another indication of the existence of a governmental structure in Ancient Bali is found in the mention of several law books in the inscriptions, such as the Uttara Widhi Balawan, Raja Wacana, and Manawa Sasanadharma. These texts contained rules and teachings derived from Hindu law and values. Their existence shows that state life at that time was not only based on the king’s authority, but also on legal norms and religious principles that provided legitimacy and direction for society.
During the reign of Singhamandawa, the life of ancient Balinese society showed significant progress in social, cultural, and religious aspects. The people had already recognized a clear division of labor among farmers, artisans, priests, and royal officials. Each social group played an important role in supporting the life of the kingdom. The relationship between the king and the people was also bound by strong religious values, where the king was regarded as the embodiment of dharma, meaning truth and justice.
AI Illustration of the Life of Ancient Balinese Society during the Reign of Singhamandawa (Source: Personal Collection)
Religious life in Ancient Bali was greatly influenced by the teachings of Hindu-Shaivism and Mahayana Buddhism. Many statues and relics depict the worship of gods, especially Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, as well as reverence for sacred Buddhist figures. The location of the kingdom in the mountains of Kintamani strengthened the spiritual symbolism that connected the king’s power with his closeness to the gods. Mountains were regarded as the axis of the world, the dwelling place of divine forces, and the center of universal balance. This view is reflected in various religious traditions and rituals that still live on in Bali today.
The Kintamani region and its surroundings still hold many relics from the Singhamandawa period. Stone inscriptions found in Trunyan, Bebetin, Gobleg, and Angsari serve as strong evidence of the existence of this kingdom. In several places, stone statues, lingga-yoni symbols, and worship structures have also been discovered, showing a blend of Hindu and local elements. These artifacts prove that Bali at that time already possessed a well-established culture that was open to outside influences, especially from India, without losing its local identity.
In addition, the language style used in the inscriptions shows a high level of literacy and grammatical sophistication. The script used represents an early form of the Balinese script, which has continued to evolve into the writing system known today. From this, it can be concluded that the Singhamandawa Kingdom made a significant contribution to the development of Balinese language, literature, and script.
The Singhamandawa period holds profound meaning in the long history of Bali. It was from this era that the foundations of a religious, cultured, and law-based civilization were formed. This period shows how the Balinese people already had a sense of statehood, an organized social system, and deep respect for spiritual values. Many of the traditions, ceremonies, and worldviews of Balinese society today remain rooted in the values born from that era.
More than just a historical record, Singhamandawa stands as a symbol of the early awakening of Balinese civilization. It reflects that Bali, from the very beginning, had been a cultural center capable of harmonizing local values with foreign influences without losing its identity. From the mountain peaks of Kintamani to the stone inscriptions scattered across rural villages, the story of Singhamandawa continues to live on as an enduring part of Bali’s identity. Ardika, I Wayan & I Ketut Setiawan. Bali antara Abad VIII–XIV: Kajian Aspek Politik. Dalam buku Karya UNUD untuk Anak Bangsa. Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, 2012. Ardika, I Wayan. Dynamics of Ancient Balinese Polity. Journal of Indonesian Archaeology, Universitas Udayana, 2008. Sutaba, I Made. Struktur Sosial dan Hukum pada Masa Warmadewa. Jurnal Sejarah dan Budaya, Universitas Udayana, 2015. Rema, Luh Sari. Rekonstruksi Sistem Pemerintahan Bali Kuna Berdasarkan Prasasti Sukawana dan Bebetin. Jurnal Humanis Universitas Udayana, 2021.
