Yogyakarta Kotagede Silent Witness establishment of Islamic Mataram kingdom

Yogyakarta Kotagede Silent Witness establishment of Islamic Mataram kingdom - In the 8th century, the territory of Mataram (now called Jogja / Yogyakarta) is a center of Hindu Mataram kingdom that controlled the whole island of Java. This kingdom has the wealth and extraordinary civilization that was able to build ancient temples with magnificent architecture, such as Candi Prambanan and Borobudur. But in the 10th century, the kingdom somehow move the central government to East Java. His people flocked left Mataram and gradually the area is returned to a dense forest.
Six centuries later Java is under the control of the Sultanate Display, based in Central Java. Sultan Hadiwijaya then ruling Alas Mentaok award (base = forest) wide to Ki Gede archery for successfully conquer enemy kingdoms. Ki Gede archery and his family and followers moved to Mentaok Alas, a forest is actually a former Hindu Mataram kingdom first.
The small village founded Ki Gede archery in the forest began to prosper. Ki Gede archery After his death, he was succeeded by his son who holds Senapati Ingalaga. Under the wise leadership of Senapati village grew into an increasingly crowded and prosperous, until called Kotagede (= big city). Senapati and building forts in (Cepuri) surrounding the palace and fortress outside (baluwarti) surrounding the urban area of ​​± 200 ha. The outer side of the second fort is also equipped with a wide moat like a river.
Meanwhile, the struggle for the throne of the Sultanate Pajang occurred after Sultan Hadiwijaya death. Crown prince named Prince Benawa removed by Arya Pangiri. Prince Benawa then ask for government help Senapati Arya Pangiri unfair and hurts the Display. War ensued. Arya Pangiri conquered but was forgiven by the Senapati. Prince Benawa then offered the throne to Senapati Pajang but gently rejected. A year later, Prince Benawa died but he was advised that Pajang led by Senapati. Since then Senapati became the first king of the Islamic Mataram Panembahan title. He did not want to wear the title of Sultan in honor of Prince Sultan Hadiwijaya and Benawa. Government palace is located in Kotagede.
Furthermore Panembahan Senapati expanding Islamic Mataram kingdom's territory to the Pati, Madiun, Kediri and Pasuruan. Panembahan Senapati died in 1601 and was buried in Kotagede adjacent to the tomb of his father. Islamic Mataram kingdom then controlled almost the entire island of Java (except the Bantam and Batavia) and reached its peak under the leadership of king-3, namely Sultan Agung (grandson Panembahan Senapati). In 1613, Sultan Agung move the center of the kingdom to the Karta (near Plered) and ended Kotagede era as a center of Islamic Mataram kingdom.
Relics of History
In a further development Kotagede remain crowded even though it is no longer the capital of the kingdom. The historical legacies such as the tomb of the founder of the kingdom, Kotagede mosques, traditional houses with typical Javanese architecture, the township toponyms that still use ancient city planning, to the ruins of the fort can be found at Kotagede.

• Market Kotagede

    Tata Javanese royal city usually puts palace, and the market square in the axis south - north. Book Nagarakertagama were written during the Majapahit Kingdom (14th century) mentions that the pattern is already in use at the time. Traditional markets that have existed since the time Panembahan Senopati still active to this day. Every morning legi the Javanese calendar, sellers, buyers, and a cornucopia of merchandise in the market. The building had been rehabilitated, but its position has not changed. If you want to wander in Kotagede, you can start from this market and walk south toward the tomb, in the ruins of the castle, and banyan brackets.
     

• Royal Tomb Complex Founder

    Walk 100 meters to the south of Market Kotagede, we will find the tomb complex of the founders of the Islamic Mataram kingdom high walled and sturdy. Gate to the tomb complex is characterized by Hindu architecture. Each gate has a thick wooden doors and decorated with beautiful carvings. Some courtiers dressed in traditional Javanese keep this complex 24 hours a day.

    We will pass through three gates before getting to the last gate that led to the building of the tomb. To enter the tomb, we had to wear traditional Javanese clothes (can be rented there). Visitors are only allowed to enter the tomb on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 to 16:00. To maintain the honor of the founder of the kingdom of Mataram were buried here, visitors are prohibited from photographing / carrying cameras and wearing gold jewelry in the tomb building. Important figures are buried here include: Sultan Hadiwiijaya, Ki Gede archery, Panembahan Senopati, and his family.
     

• Mosque Kotagede

    Wandering into Kotagede not be complete without visiting Kotagede Mosque, the oldest mosque in Jogja / Yogyakarta were still in the tomb complex. After that it could not hurt to walk down a narrow corridor behind the walls of the tomb complex to view the architecture as a whole and the daily life of the community Kotagede.
     

• Traditional Houses

    Just across the street from the front of the tomb complex, we can see a traditional Javanese house. But if you like to walk 50 meters to the south, we will see a gate cavity wall with a low and a placard that reads "cultural heritage". Get in, where you will see traditional houses Kotagede well-preserved and actually serves as a dwelling house.

•     Kedhaton

    Walk a little further south, you will see 3 banyan tree right in the middle of the road. In the middle there is a small building that holds the "Watu Howling", a square black stone whose surface are arranged in a circle writing: ITA MOVENTUR Mundu S - AINSI VA LE MONDE - Z00 GAAT de Wereld - COSI VAN IL MONDO. Outside the circle it says AD ATERN AM MEMORIAM INFELICS - IN FORTUNA CONSOERTES DIGNI VALETE QUIDSTPERIS INSANI VIDETE IGNARI ET RIDETE, CONTEMNITE VOS CONSTEMTU - IGM (In Glorium Maximam). I do not know what that means, perhaps you can interpret it for us?

    In the building there is also a "watu cantheng", three balls made of yellowish stone. Local people suspect that the "ball" is toy rock Panembahan son of Senapati. But it was likely that it was actually an ancient cannon fodder.

•     Citadel Ruins

    Panembahan Senopati building castles in (Cepuri) complete with a moat around the palace, the extent of approximately 400 x 400 meters. Ruins of the original fort can still be seen in the corner of the southwest and southeast. 4 foot thick walls made of large stone blocks. While the rest of trenches can be seen on the east, south, and west.
A walk down Kotagede related history will enrich Islamic Mataram kingdom had triumphed in Java. In addition, you can also see from the close community life hundreds of years ago were in the solid fortress.
Unlike other tourist areas, the local population has typical Javanese hospitality, polite, and not too commercial. In Kotagede, you will not be disturbed pushy street vendors (hawkers). It is a bit surprising, or rather enjoyable. Who also needs a pushy peddlers