Kahuripan

Origins

When Haji Wurawari destroyed the court of Dharmawangsa Teguh of the Medang Kingdom in 1016, his young son-in-law Airlangga, a prince from Bali, fled to the forest with a few followers. In 1019 priests consecrated him king, and over the next two decades he reconquered East Java from rival lords.

Rule and society

Airlangga's Pucangan inscription of 1041 tells his story in Sanskrit and Old Javanese. He built dams on the Brantas River, encouraged trade through the port of Hujung Galuh, and patronised Hindu and Buddhist clergy. The poet Mpu Kanwa wrote the Arjunawiwaha, seen as an allegory of his reign.

Decline and legacy

Before retiring as an ascetic, Airlangga had his kingdom divided around 1045, tradition says by the sage Mpu Bharada, between two sons: Janggala in the east and Kediri, or Panjalu, in the west. He died around 1049, and is believed to be buried at Belahan, on Mount Penanggungan.