The Story Of Bali Kingdom: Its History, Powerful Kings, And Historical Traces

JAKARTA - Let's get to know the history of the Bali Kingdom. About the Kingdom of Bedahul or Bedulu as the first kingdom that stood in the Bali region.

The Bali Kingdom was founded around the 8th century to the 14th century. The center of this kingdom is in Pejeng or Bedulu, Gianyar. Referring to history, the Bali Kingdom was led by a group of aristocrats whose leadership was known as Sri Kesari Warmadewa.

History of the Bali Kingdom

According to several inscriptions found, this kingdom was led by kings from the Warmadewa dynasty.

The most famous king in the Bali Kingdom is Dharmodhayana Warmadewa who has ruled since 989. He led the kingdom with his empress named Mahendradatha or Gunapriyadharmaptani until 1001.

The empress died and was immortalized in a temple located in Berusan Village, or in the southeast of the Bedulu region. Her statue which is the embodiment of Goddess Durga is found in the area of Kutri (Gianyar).

The king Dharmodhayana Warmadewa continued to rule the kingdom until 1011 AD. He died and was rested in a temple at Banu Wka, but until now his whereabouts are unknown.

Dharmodhayana and Mahendradatha's marriage gave birth to a son named Airlangga, who later married a Dharmawangsa daughter and became king on the island of Java, another son named Marakata.

After the death of his father, the throne was inherited by a prince named Marakata who had the title Dharmodhyana Wangsawardhana Marakata Panjakasthana Uttunggadewa from 1011 to 1022.

His leadership is highly respected and loved because of his great concern for the people. Because of his glory, he is even considered the incarnation of legal truth.

He also built a hermitage (prasada) on Mount Kawi which is located close to the Tampak Siring Palace.

The building has a unique characteristic in the form of carvings resembling a temple. At the bottom there is a cave hermitage.

Until now, the hermitage building is still well preserved and is also one of the tourist attractions favorited by tourists in Bali.

After Marakata's legacy, the throne was passed on to his son, Anak Wungsu, from 1049 to 1077.

Anak Wungsu left 28 inscriptions and was the largest number of inscriptions compared to the kings who had ruled before.

Anak Wungsu has no children. He died and was later offered in the area of Gunung Kawi.

In 1430, the Bali Kingdom was led by Raja Dalem Bedahul, before being controlled by Gajah Mada from Majapahit.

The reigning kings

The kings who had led the Bali Kingdom were as follows:

1. Sri Kesari Warmadewi

In the Blanjong inscription with numbers written in 914, it mentions the royal palace is in the Singhadwalawa.

2. Queen Sri Ugrasena

Ratu Sri Ugrasena ruled from 915 to 942 and his palace at that time was founded in Singhamandawa.

During his tenure, Ratu Sri Ugrasena left 9 inscriptions. The inscription as a whole contains tax exemptions in certain areas.

Apart from that, there are also inscriptions that tell about the construction of holy places. After the death of the Queen Sri Ugrasena, her body was then brought to the Air Mandatu.

3. Tabanendra Warmadewa

Tabanendra Warmadewa led the kingdom from 955 to 967 AD.

4. Jayasingha Warmadewa

There are pros and cons regarding Jayasingha Warmadewa. Some say that he is not a descendant of Tabanendra, because in 960 AD at the same time as Tabanendra's leadership, Jayasingha Warmadewa had become king.

Alternatively, he is a crown prince who has been made king before his father abdicates. During his reign, he made a lake or bath from a sacred source in Manukraya Village.

The bath is now known as Tirta Empul which is located near Tampaksiring. King Jayasingha Warmadewa led the kingdom until 975 AD.

5. Jayashadu Warmadewa

Jayasadhu Warmadewa ruled the kingdom from 975 to 983.

6. Sri Wijaya Mahadewi

The Bali Kingdom was also led by a woman named Sri Maharaja Sri Wijaya Mahadewi.

According to history, the queen of Sri Maharaja Sri Wijaya Mahadewi came from the Sriwijaya Kingdom. However, the opinion of Damais also suspected that the queen was the daughter of Empu Sindok (East Java).

This is based on various position names in the Ratu Wijaya inscription which are commonly mentioned in Javanese inscriptions but are not known in Bali, such as makudur, madihati, and pangkaja.

7. Dharma Udayana Warmadewa

At the time of the Udayana ruling, the Bali Kingdom was at its peak. He led the kingdom with his empress named Mahendradatta, a daughter of a king Makutawangsawardhana from East Java.

Before Udayana was appointed king, many suspected that he had been in East Java because his name was recorded in the Jalatunda Inscription.

The marriage between Udayana and Mahendradatta made the influence of Javanese culture in Bali increasingly developed.

For example, the Old Javanese language began to be used in writing inscriptions. In addition, the formation of an advisory board began to be carried out as in general the government of the kingdoms in Java.

After Gunapriya died, Udayana continued to rule the kingdom until 1011 AD. He died and was then enshrined in the Banuwka region.

The history of this is stated in an inscription of Air Hwang (1011) which inscribes the name Udayana. In addition, in the Ujung (Hyang) inscription, after his death, Udayana was known as Batara Lumah in Banuwka.

8. Marakata

King Marakata has the title Dharmawangsawardhana Marakata Pangkajasthana Uttunggadewa. He led the kingdom from 1011 to 1022. His reign was contemporary with Airlangga.

Since taking charge, Marakata has been dubbed the source of legal truth because he always protects and nurtures the royal people.

Marakata is very loved by the people because of his generous nature. He also built a temple or persada located on Mount Kawi in the Tampaksiring area, Bali.

9. Anak Wungsu

Anak Wungsu has the title Paduka Haji Anak Wungsu Nira Kalih Bhatari Lumah i Burwan Bhatara Lumah i Banu Wka. He is the King of Ancient Bali who has left the most inscriptions with more than 28 inscriptions and has been scattered in North Bali, Central Bali, and South Bali.

Anak Wungsu led the kingdom for 28 years from 1049 to 1077. He is also considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Anak Wungsu had no children and died in 1077. His body was then buried in the area of Gunung Kawi (near Tampaksiring).

10. Jaya Sakti

Jaya Sakti led the kingdom from 1133 to 1150 AD, a period during the Jayabaya reign in Kediri.

During his reign, he was assisted by a central advisor consisting of Senapati as well as religious leaders from both Hindu and Buddhist religions.

Jaya Sakti uses a book of laws called the book of the North Widdhi Balawan and the book of Rajawacana in running its government.

11. Bedahulu 

In 1343 AD, the kingdom was led by Sri Astasura Ratna Bhumi Banten. Previously, in running the government, he was assisted by his two patihs named Kebo Iwa and Pasunggrigis.

Bedahul was the last king to rule the Bali Kingdom, because during his reign he was conquered by Gajah Mada so that the kingdom became the territory of the Majapahit Kingdom.

Historical Traces of Bali Kingdom

There are several relics of the Bali Kingdom that we can visit today, including:

• Blanjong Inscription
• Panglapuan Inscription
• Gunung Panulisan Inscription
• Relic inscriptions of Anak Wungsu
• Padas Temple at Gunung Kawi
• Pura Agung Besakih
• Mengening Temple
• Wasan Temple

This is a brief description of the Bali Kingdom, along with the history of the king who led and his historical legacy.

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