Sejarah Lengkap Kerajaan Kutai dan Raja Mulawarman: Masa Kejayaan, Silsilah Raja, dan Peninggalan

Summary

The Kingdom of Kutai, Indonesia's oldest Hindu kingdom, is renowned for its strategic location along the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan. Founded by Kudungga, followed by his son Aswawarman and the famed King Mulawarman, the kingdom flourished in the 4th-5th century CE. It is celebrated for its seven Yupa inscriptions, which record royal deeds, including Mulawarman's donation of 20,000 cattle to Brahmins. Despite its prosperity under Mulawarman, the kingdom declined after his reign, eventually succumbing to the power of the Sultanate of Kutai Kartanegara. The history of Kutai remains vital to Indonesia's royal heritage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kutai Kingdom is considered the oldest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia, established around 400-500 CE.
• 😀 Kutai Kingdom was strategically located near the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, although not on major trade routes.
• 😀 The kingdom's location along the Mahakam River allowed it to maintain good relations with foreign traders despite not being on major trade routes.
• 😀 The founder of the Kutai Kingdom, Kudungga, was a nobleman from the Champa Kingdom in Cambodia.
• 😀 The Kutai Kingdom didn't have a systematic government during Kudungga's reign but was later organized by his son, Aswawarman.
• 😀 Aswawarman, who was the first Kutai ruler to adopt Hinduism, reformed the kingdom's governance.
• 😀 The reign of Mulawarman, Aswawarman's son, marked the peak of the Kutai Kingdom's prosperity and power.
• 😀 The kingdom's glory is commemorated by the Yupa inscriptions, which are monolithic stone pillars that provide insights into the kingdom's history and royal lineage.
• 😀 The Yupa inscriptions were written in Sanskrit using Pallava script, detailing the lineage of rulers and significant events like Mulawarman's gift of 20,000 cows to Brahmins.
• 😀 After Mulawarman's death, the kingdom began to decline, culminating in a defeat during a war against the Kingdom of Kertanegara, leading to the Islamic conquest of Kutai.
• 😀 Despite its decline, the Kutai Kingdom is a vital part of Indonesian history, and learning about it enhances understanding of the early Hindu kingdoms in the region.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Kutai Kingdom in Indonesian history?

The Kutai Kingdom is considered the first Hindu kingdom in Indonesia and is the oldest known kingdom, dating back to around 400 to 500 AD.

Where was the Kutai Kingdom located?

The Kutai Kingdom was located in Muara Kaman, East Kalimantan, at the confluence of the Mahakam River and its tributaries.

Who founded the Kutai Kingdom?

The Kutai Kingdom was founded by Kudungga, who was a noble from Champa (now Cambodia).

How did the Kutai Kingdom evolve under the rule of Aswawarman?

Under the rule of Aswawarman, the kingdom saw the introduction of a more systematic government and Aswawarman became the first Kutai king to embrace Hinduism.

What is the importance of Mulawarman in the Kutai Kingdom?

Mulawarman, the son of Aswawarman, brought the Kutai Kingdom to its peak, achieving prosperity and establishing strong relations with foreign traders.

What role did the Yupa inscriptions play in the history of the Kutai Kingdom?

The Yupa inscriptions, consisting of seven monolithic stone pillars, document the royal genealogy, royal decrees, and achievements of King Mulawarman, offering valuable historical insights.

What language was used in the Yupa inscriptions?

The Yupa inscriptions were written in Sanskrit using Pallava script, a script from South India.

What was the significance of the donation of 20,000 cows by Mulawarman?

The donation of 20,000 cows to the Brahmins, as mentioned in the Yupa inscriptions, highlighted Mulawarman's generosity and his commitment to supporting religious practices.

How did the Kutai Kingdom decline?

The decline of the Kutai Kingdom began after the death of Mulawarman. The kingdom eventually fell to the Majapahit Empire, leading to its transition to an Islamic kingdom under Sultan Kertanegara's rule.

What was the external trade relationship of the Kutai Kingdom?

The Kutai Kingdom established strong trade connections with external powers, including China and Makassar, benefiting from its strategic location along the Mahakam River.