Pramodhawardani, A Java Queen who Astound the World with Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple

Summary

This video delves into the fascinating history of Ancient Mataram, focusing on the remarkable reign of Queen Pramodawardhani and her marriage to Rakai Pikatan, which united two rival dynasties. Their marriage fostered religious tolerance between Hinduism and Buddhism, leading to the construction of iconic temples like Borobudur and Prambanan. The video explores theories about their family relationships, political intrigue, and the lasting legacy of their rule, which continues to shape Indonesia's cultural identity. It also reflects on the importance of interfaith cooperation and tolerance as an example for modern society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pramodawardhani's reign marked a time of religious tolerance in Java, with cooperation between Buddhists and Hindus.
• 😀 The marriage of Pramodawardhani (a Mahayana Buddhist) and Rakai Pikatan (a Hindu of the Sanjaya dynasty) symbolized the union of two competing dynasties.
• 😀 The Medang Kingdom was shaped by both Buddhist and Hindu influences, with monumental temples like Borobudur and Prambanan as key examples.
• 😀 A civil war broke out after Samaratungga's decision to appoint his daughter Pramodawardhani as heir, leading to a rebellion from her brother, Balaputradewa.
• 😀 Balaputradewa, after losing the civil war, fled to Sumatra and became king of Srivijaya, later contributing to the spread of Buddhism.
• 😀 Historians debate the relationship between Pramodawardhani, Samaratungga, and Balaputradewa, with varying interpretations based on historical inscriptions.
• 😀 The Wantil inscription (856 AD) recorded the battle between Rakai Pikatan and the rebels, showing the tensions surrounding the succession of the Medang throne.
• 😀 The union between Pramodawardhani and Rakai Pikatan fostered significant architectural projects, including both Buddhist and Hindu temples.
• 😀 The Plaosan Temple complex, built during their reign, symbolized cooperation between Buddhist and Hindu communities in Java.
• 😀 The marriage of Pramodawardhani and Rakai Pikatan set a precedent for interfaith tolerance in Indonesia, preceding later examples such as Ken Dedes and Ken Arok.
• 😀 Even after Pramodawardhani's death, their marriage continued to influence Indonesian history, with their legacy visible in the architectural and cultural landmarks that remain today.

Q & A

Who was Pramodawardhani and why was her reign significant?

Pramodawardhani was the crown princess of the Medang Kingdom in Java, and her reign is significant because she played a crucial role in uniting two competing dynasties—the Shailendra dynasty and the Sanjaya dynasty—through her marriage to Rakai Pikatan. This union fostered religious tolerance between Buddhists and Hindus and led to the construction of monumental temples like Borobudur and Prambanan.

What caused the civil war between Pramodawardhani and her brother Balaputradewa?

The civil war between Pramodawardhani and her brother Balaputradewa was triggered by their rivalry for the throne of the Medang Kingdom. After their father, Maharaja Samaratungga, stepped down, Pramodawardhani was appointed as his successor, but Balaputradewa, feeling entitled to the throne, rebelled and fought for control, leading to a conflict that ended with his defeat and exile.

How did Pramodawardhani’s marriage to Rakai Pikatan affect the Medang Kingdom?

Pramodawardhani’s marriage to Rakai Pikatan, a Hindu prince, played a pivotal role in the unification of the Shailendra and Sanjaya dynasties. This union fostered religious tolerance and allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to coexist peacefully, which was reflected in the construction of temples that represented both religions, such as the Prambanan and Plaosan temples.

What was the significance of the Borobudur and Prambanan temples?

The Borobudur Temple, built during the reign of Pramodawardhani’s father Samaratungga, is a Buddhist monument and one of the largest and most impressive of its kind in the world. The Prambanan Temple, constructed by Rakai Pikatan, is a Hindu temple complex dedicated to Shiva. Both temples represent the religious cooperation that existed during this period of religious tolerance in Java.

What theories exist regarding the relationship between Pramodawardhani, Balaputradewa, and Samaratungga?

One theory, proposed by De Casparis, suggests that Balaputradewa and Pramodawardhani were siblings, both being children of Samaratungga. However, this theory was refuted by Indonesian historians, including Slamet Muljana, who argued that Pramodawardhani was Samaratungga’s only child and that Balaputradewa was actually her uncle, not her brother.

What role did Rakai Pikatan play in the religious developments of the Medang Kingdom?

Rakai Pikatan, a Hindu prince, played a key role in the religious developments of the Medang Kingdom by promoting the construction of Hindu temples, most notably the Prambanan Temple. He was instrumental in the construction of the Shiva temple, the main temple of the Prambanan complex, symbolizing the importance of Hinduism in the kingdom.

What was the significance of the Plaosan Temple?

The Plaosan Temple, built in 842 AD during the reign of Pramodawardhani and Rakai Pikatan, is significant because it blends Buddhist and Hindu architectural styles, reflecting the cooperative relationship between the two religious communities. The temples at Plaosan are thought to have been constructed with input from both Buddhists and Hindus, symbolizing the unity and tolerance of the time.

How did Rakai Pikatan’s rule contribute to the legacy of religious tolerance in Java?

Rakai Pikatan’s rule, particularly through his marriage to Pramodawardhani, contributed to religious tolerance in Java by fostering cooperation between Hindus and Buddhists. His sponsorship of both Hindu and Buddhist temples, such as Prambanan and Plaosan, created a model of religious coexistence that left a lasting cultural legacy in the region.

Why is the period of Pramodawardhani and Rakai Pikatan considered a golden age for religious tolerance?

The period of Pramodawardhani and Rakai Pikatan is considered a golden age for religious tolerance because their marriage bridged the gap between two competing religions, Buddhism and Hinduism, allowing both to flourish side by side. This era saw the construction of monumental religious structures that represented both faiths, marking a time when mutual respect and cooperation between religious communities were prioritized.

What happened to the Medang Kingdom after the reign of Pramodawardhani and Rakai Pikatan?

After the reign of Pramodawardhani and Rakai Pikatan, the Medang Kingdom faced internal conflicts and rebellions. In 856 AD, Rakai Pikatan abdicated, and the kingdom eventually declined. Seventy-three years later, the center of power shifted to East Java under the rule of Mpu Sindok, marking the end of the Sanjaya and Shailendra dynasties in Central Java and the rise of the Isyana dynasty.