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State of Taruma ᮒᮛᮥᮙᮔᮌᮛ Tarumanagara | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ca. 358–669 | |||||||||||
 Territory of Tarumanagara | |||||||||||
| Capital | Sundapura (betweenNorth Jakarta andBekasi Regency) | ||||||||||
| Common languages | |||||||||||
| Religion | |||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
• Established | ca. 358 | ||||||||||
• Invasion bySriwijaya | 669 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Today part of | Indonesia | ||||||||||
Tarumanagara orTaruma Kingdom or justTaruma was an earlySundaneseIndianised kingdom[broken anchor], located in westernJava, whose 5th-century ruler,Purnawarman, produced the earliest known inscriptions in Java, which are estimated to date from around 358 CE.[1]
At least seven stone inscriptions connected to this kingdom were discovered in Western Java area, nearBogor andJakarta. They areCiaruteun,Kebon Kopi, Jambu, Pasir Awi, and Muara Cianten inscriptions near Bogor;Tugu inscription nearCilincing inNorth Jakarta; andCidanghiang inscription in Lebak village, Munjul district, south of Banten.[2]: 36
The inscriptions of Taruma kingdom are the earliest records ofHinduism in the western part of thearchipelago.[3]: 53 The geographical position of coastal West Java, which corresponds to today modernJakarta, is a commanding region that controls theSunda Strait. This location is strategic in regard to Sumatra, and also its connection to Asian continent of India and China.
The kingdom was located not far from modernJakarta, and according to theTugu inscription Purnawarman apparently built a canal that changed the course of theCakung River, and drained a coastal area for agriculture and settlement. In his inscriptions, Purnavarman associated himself withVishnu, andBrahmins secured the hydraulic project through ritual.[4] Tarumanagara is believed to have existed between 358 and 669 CE in the Western Java region, in and around modern-day Bogor, Bekasi and Jakarta, which roughly corresponds to modernGreater Jakarta area.
The earliest known written records of Tarumanagara's existence were inscribed in stone inscriptions.[5] Inscribed stone is calledprasasti inIndonesian. Numbers of stone inscriptions dated from Tarumanagara period were discovered in Western Java region.
The historiography of the Taruma kingdom were mostly uncovered, acquired and constructed from two main sources; the primary record of the stone inscriptions discovered near present-day Bogor and Jakarta, and Chinese chronicles dated from the Sui and Tang dynasties.
In 1863,Dutch East Indies, a huge boulder of inscribed stone was spotted near Ciampea not far from Buitenzorg (Bogor). The stone inscription was discovered on the river bed of Ciaruteun river, a tributary ofCisadane River. It is today known as theCiaruteun inscription, dated from the 5th century, written in Vengi letters (used in the Indian Pallava period) and in Sanskrit language. This is the earliest inscription that clearly mentioned the kingdom's name "Tarumanagara".[6]: 15 The inscription reports the most famous king of Tarumanagara.
"The powerful illustrious and brave King, the famous Purnawarman (of the) Tarumanagara (kingdom) whose (print of the) foot soles are the same (as those of) God Vishnu."
Located nearby is the Kebon Kopi I inscription, also called Telapak Gadjah stone, with an inscription and the engraving of two large elephant footprints. The inscription read: These elephant foot soles, akin to those of the strongAiravata (elephant, which GodIndra used to ride), belongs to Tarumanagara King who is successful and full of control.
Not only the stones testify of the existence of King Purnawarman and his Tarumanagara kingdom, but also Chinese historical sources, since Tarumanagara maintained extended trade and diplomatic relations in the territory stretching between India and China. The Chinese Buddhist MonkFa Xian reported in his bookFo-kuo-chi (佛國記) (414) that he stayed on the island ofYe-po-ti (耶婆提.Chinese spelling of Javadvipa), most probably the western part of Java island, for six months, from December 412 until May 413. He reported that the Law of Buddha was not much known, but that the Brahmans (Hinduism) flourished, and heretics (animists) too.
Between the period 528 to 669, Tarumanagara sent their embassy to Chinese court.[7]: 105 The kingdom was mentioned in the annals of theSui dynasty, the king ofTo-lo-mo (possibly 塔鲁纳) (Taruma) has sent diplomatic mission, which arrived in China in 528 and 535. It was mentioned that the kingdom is located far south of China.
The annals ofTang dynasty also mentioned in the year 666 and 669 the envoys ofTo-lo-mo has visited the court of Tang.[3]: 54
The history ofSunda kingdom and its predecessor (Tarumanagara and Salakanagara) is recorded quite detailed inPustaka Rajyarajya i Bhumi Nusantara (simply known asNusantara), a book within Wangsakerta manuscripts collection composed in late 17th centuryCirebon. However, currently the Wangsakerta manuscripts are generally discounted as a valid historical source among historians, since this controversial manuscript is suspected as a fraud containingpseudohistory.[8][9]
The nameTarumanagara was found in several inscriptions in the Western Java region dated from circa 4th century. The Chinese chronicle also recorded the nameTo-lo-ma orTo-lo-mo which suggest the Chinese pronunciation of "Taruma". Tarumanagara means the kingdom of Taruma. The name "Taruma" itself is connected to theCitarum River of West Java.[3]: 54 InSundanese language,ci means water or river whiletarum meansindigo plant.Tarum is local name ofindigo plant that used to create the indigo dyeing pigment.[10]
Around 400 BCE to 100 CE, a prehistoricclay pottery culture was flourished in northern coastal Western Java. This clay pottery culture is identified asBuni culture, named after its first discovered archaeological site, Buni village in Babelan,Bekasi, east ofJakarta. Archaeologist suggests that this culture was the predecessor of Taruma kingdom. This is affirmative regarding its connection toBatujaya archaeological site.[11] The ancient society that supported the Buni culture wasIndianised; absorbing Hindu influences from India, and establishing early Hindu polity in Java.
According to the bookGeographike Hyphegesis written in 2nd-century Roman Empire, a Greek geographerClaudius Ptolemaeus mentioned about countries in the far east of the known world then. Among others is a city calledArgyre on the western edge of theIabadiou island. Iabadiou can be equated in Sanskrit asYawadwipa, which corresponds to the island ofJava. The nameargyre means "silver", while in local Indonesian and Sundanese language, silver is calledperak, which sound similar to theMerak port town on the western edge of Java.[12]: 47
The history of the Tarumanegara Kingdom comes from a number of inscriptions dating from the 5th century AD. The inscriptions are named based on the location where they were found, namely the Ciaruteun inscription, the Pasir Koleangkak inscription, the Kebonkopi inscription, the Tugu inscription, the Pasir Awi inscription, the Muara Cianten inscription, and theCidanghiang inscription. The inscription mentions the name of the ruling king is Purnawarman. Cidanghiang inscription (sits further to the west at Lebak in the Pandeglang area), consisting of two lines, proclaiming Purnawarman as the standard for rulers around the world. Jambu inscription, with a two-line inscription in Pallava/Sanskrit, bears the large footprints of the king. The inscription translates as:
The name of the king who is famous of faithfully executing his duties and who is incomparable (peerless) is Sri Purnawarman who reigns Taruma. His armour cannot be penetrated by the arrows of his enemies. The prints of the foot soles belong to him who was always successful to destroy the fortresses of his enemies, and was always charitable and gave honorable receptions to those who are loyal to him and hostile to his enemies.[13]
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Purnawarman probably is the most well-known king of Tarumanagara because he produced quite a number of well documented inscriptions. The records about Tarumanagara's later kings were scarce and obscure, most were known from later manuscripts and local traditions.
Later series of Tarumanagara kings are only known from their names, all bears the namewarman (Sanskrit:varman means "shield" or "protector") which suggests that all of them belongs in the same dynasty.
A rather detailed information was known about King Suryawarman that ruled from 535 to 561. King Suryawarman established a new capital city eastward and left Sundapura and its communities to preserve their own order. Then, Sundapura become a new smaller kingdom called Sunda Sambawa which was under control of Tarumanagara. Before the Suryavarman reigned Tarumanagara, Manikmaya, his son in-law, in 526, left Sundapura went southeastward and established Kendan, a new kingdom currently in Nagreg area, near modern Garut city.
Kertawarman ruled c. 561 to 628. During this period the grandson of Manikmaya, Wretikandayun, in 612, establishedGaluh Kingdom, southeast of current Garut with its capital city located in Banjar Pataruman. Kertawarman's successor, King Linggawarman ruled from 628 to 650, he however produced no male heir. Linggawarman's eldest daughter Manasih, married to Tarusbawa, ruler of Sunda Sembawa. While the second daughter of King Linggawarman, Princess Sobakancana, marriedDapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, who later established theSrivijaya kingdom.
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According to 7th centuryKota Kapur inscription,Srivijaya, centred in todayPalembang, South Sumatra, launched a military expedition againstBhumi Jawa, the period coincides with the decline of Tarumanagara. It is very likely that Tarumanagara kingdom was attacked and defeated by Srivijaya around 686.[3]: 83 The pretext behind Srivijayan campaign against Tarumanagara was obscure, however it was probably because of Jayanasa's own claim to Tarumanagara's throne, afterall his wife, Sobakancana, is the daughter of Linggawarman, the late king of Tarumanagara. After this naval invasion, Tarumanegara's influence began to decline.
Devastated by Srivijayan invasion, King Tarusbawa then moved further inland to find a refuge in the south and established a new capital near theCipakancilan river upstream (today in modernBogor). It seems that he left the coastal areas of port of Sunda and Kalapa (today coastal areas of modernBanten andJakarta) under Srivijayan mandala's control. This capital centuries later became the city ofPakuan Pajajaran (or shortly calledPakuan orPajajaran). King Tarusbawa becomes the predecessor of Sunda kings.
The Chinese source mentioned about the product being traded in Taruma, which suggests the population made a living in hunting, mining, fishing, trade and shipping; aside of agriculture and farming sector. The commodities being traded in Taruma was specific hunting products, such asrhino horn,ivory and turtle shell. Gold and silver were traded too, which suggest the active mining sector. TheTugu inscription mentioned about the construction of hydraulic projects through the construction canals. This irrigation project suggest that the area of northern West Java and Jakarta was transformed into irrigated rice paddies. The canals also meant as a water management to prevent flooding that often hit the capital of Tarumanagara.[12]: 60
According to the 4th century writings ofFaxian, a Buddhist pilgrim fromTang China that visited Tarumanagara in his journey to India; in the early 5th century there were three kinds of religions adhered by the population of Taruma kingdom; i.e. Buddhism just as adhered by Faxian himself, Hinduism, and a religion which he described as "impure" religion.[12]: 62 The so-called "impure" religion probably refer to nativeanimism beliefs practiced by local population prior of Hindu-Buddhist influence.[12]: 64
Hinduism was the main religion in Tarumanagara kingdom, at least among its elites ruling class. This is based on several inscriptions dated from Tarumanagara period. For example,Tugu inscription mentioned that the father of Purnawarman is titled asRajadhiraja Guru has dug the canal in Chandrabhaga. Purnawarman himself credited for the construction of Gomati canal. The inscription also mentioned that King Purnawarman donated a thousand cows as gifts for Brahmins. These rituals demonstrate the Vedic Hinduism practice.[12]: 62 TheCiaruteun inscription also demonstrated Vedic tradition; by equating the print of Purnawarman's soles with the foot of Hindu godVishnu. Both Ciaruteun andCidanghiang inscription mentionvikkranta, which rever toTrivikrama or the "three steps" performed by of Vishnu avatar,Vamana. In Jambu inscription, Purnavarman was equated withIndra andSurya.[12]: 63 The Vishnu statues from Cibuaya dated from 7th century, also the Rajarsi statue discovered in Jakarta, also testified of Hindu prevalence in Tarumanagara.
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Buddhism was practiced in Tarumanagara as reported by Faxian in early 5th century. However, he said there were only a few Buddhists in the kingdom. Near the north coast of West Java, earth mounds called by locals asunur orhunur were discovered in the 1960s. The excavated earth mounds in theBatujaya archaeological site inKarawang (within the territory of Tarumanagara) have revealed that these earth mounds were actually red brick structures, eitherCandi (temples) orstupas.[12]: 58
In total, archeological finds have uncovered around 30 sites (13 are of brick temples) from the Batujaya archaeological complex. These 5th century findings are of temples, stupas, inscriptions and mouldedclay tablets recovered from 1995, 1997 and 2001. Among these tablets include a Buddha seated on a throne, flanked bybodhissatvas and surrounded with tall stupas and topped by parasols.[14] Besides this, a number of Buddhistvotive tablets were discovered near Blandongan temple, also in the Batujaya archaeological site, confirming a Buddhist background of the site, and that the faith was indeed practiced in Tarumanagara.[12]: 58
The stratigraphy of Blandongan temple revealed several layers of cultures dated between 2nd–12th century. This means after the fall of Tarumanagara, the Buddhist site of Batujaya was still actively used. Which means the Batujaya temples was used between the 4th and 7th century during the Tarumanagara period; and continued well after the 7th–10th century, possibly underSrivijaya suzerainty.
Unlike its successor; theSunda kingdom that still remembered inPantun Sunda; the oral tradition of localSundanese—Tarumanagara was completely forgotten among local population in West Java. It was not until late 19th century when archaeologist and historian finally deciphered the stone inscriptions discovered near Buitenzorg and Batavia. The discovery and study of numerous Tarumanagara inscriptions; especially those issued by King Purnawarman, had uncover that this kingdom was indeed the earliest Hindu polity in western Indonesia. Together withKutai andKalingga, Tarumanagara is remembered as a pioneer states that started thehistorical period of Indonesia.[2]: 36
Tarumanagara is especially important as the historical identity for the city ofBekasi and itssurrounding area, since local historians believe that the capital of Tarumanagara was located in or around the present day Bekasi city. The nameChandrabhaga mentioned in Tarumanaga inscription believed was the ancient name of Bekasi—fromChandrabhaga (Sanskrit for "moon river"), changed toBhagasasi and finally corrupted into its present form asBekasi.[15]
Tarumanagara kingdom also has become the name forTarumanagara University, a private university based in Jakarta, established in 1959.[16]
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