The Kingdom of Tarumanegara is one of the oldest kingdoms in the archipelago and occupies an important place in the early history of the civilization of the island of Java.
It is believed that this kingdom existed between the 4th and 7th centuries AD.
and was centered in the area now known as Bogor in West Java.
Known as a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom,Tarumanegara left many historical traces in the form of inscriptions and artifacts describing the life and progress of civilization at that time.
Origins and Government; The name Tarumanegara comes from the words "Taruma" meaning Citarum River and "negara" meaning kingdom or country.
Much information about this kingdom was obtained from inscriptions found in the West Java region.
The most famous king of Tarumanegara was Purnawarman,who ruled from 395 to 434 AD. Under his leadership,Tarumanegara reached the peak of its glory by expanding its territory and increasing economic and cultural prosperity.
Historical evidence and inscriptions; Important evidence of the existence of the Tarumanegara Kingdom are the inscriptions found in various places in West Java.
For example,the Ciaruteun inscription was found on the banks of the Ciaruteun River in Bogor.
This inscription contains Pallava script and Sanskrit script that mentions King Purnawarman and his kindness towards people as well as his monumental developments such as digging rivers for irrigation.
The Tugu inscription found in Cilincing, North Jakarta,is also important historical evidence. This inscription tells of the 12 kilometer excavation project on the Gomati River carried out by King Purnawarman to prevent floods and support agriculture.
This project demonstrated the high technical and organizational capabilities of the Tarumanegara community at that time.
Sociocultural life; Social life in Tarumanegara is strongly influenced by Hindu and Buddhist teachings.
The existence of the Hindu-Buddhist religion is demonstrated by various inscriptions and images found.
Apart from that,this kingdom is also known as an important commercial center.
Its strategic location on the west coast of the island of Java makes Tarumanegara a meeting place for traders from various regions,including India and China.
Trade relations with foreign countries brought significant cultural influence,especially in the fields of technology,religion,and art.
Tarumanegara is also known to have a well-structured system of government in which the king plays a central role but includes advisors and religious leaders in decision-making.
Influence and legacy; The Tarumanegara Kingdom had a great influence on the development of later kingdoms in Java,such as the kingdoms of Sunda and Galuh.
Many of the cultural elements,systems of government and technology inherited by Tarumanegara were continued and developed by its successor kingdoms. Archaeological finds from the Tarumanegara Kingdom provide valuable information about life in Java in its early history.
The artifacts and inscriptions found not only help to understand political and economic events,but also the daily life and cultural values of the society of that time.
Thus,the Tarumanegara Kingdom was not only one of the oldest civilizations on the island of Java,but also an important foundation that shaped the history and culture of Indonesia in the future.
By researching and preserving the historical sites associated with the Kingdom,future generations will be able to continue to appreciate and understand the heritage of their ancestors.
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