Dalem Sampranganwas a king ofBaliwho governed under the suzerainty of theJavaneseMajapahitEmpire (1293-c. 1527), and belonged to a dynasty of immigrants fromJava.The exact dating of his reign is unclear; the sources point at either the second half of the 14th century or the early 16th century.
Reign
editAccording to the 18th-century chronicleBabad Dalem,[1]Dalem Samprangan succeeded his fatherSri Aji Kresna Kepakisanwho had been established as vassal king by Majapahit after the conquest of Bali in 1343. His residence wasSampranganin the present-dayGianyarregency, to the southeast of the ancient royal seat Bedaulu.[2]The chronicle characterizes him as an incompetent and vain figure. He spent much time on his outward appearance, and let his ministers wait in the council hall for him to show up. This behaviour irritated the grandees of the kingdom. After waiting for hours in vain one morning, one of them, Kubon Klapa, left the palace in anger and looked up Dalem Samprangan's youngest brother Ketut, who was a well-known gambler. He persuaded the prince to take royal titles and offered him his residence inGelgel,a village in the present-dayKlungkungresidency, near the south coast. In that way, the Samprangan palace quickly lapsed into obscurity, while Gelgel rose as the political centre of the island under the new kingDalem Ketut.[3]No more is heard in theBabad Dalemabout Samprangan which became a minor village immediately to the east ofGianyar.[4]
Conflict with Dalem Tarukan
editA complex of legendary texts calledBabad Pulasarirelate the fortunes of Dalem Samprangan's other brother Dalem Tarukan, who had a residence close to modernUbud.He fell out with his royal brother which resulted in a series of internecine wars on the island. At length, Dalem Tarukan was defeated, and his descendants were demoted from theKsatriacaste. Certain Balinese texts date the defeat of Tarukan in 1502.[5]This is incompatible with theBabad Dalem,which indicates Dalem Samprangan about one generation after the Majapahit conquest of 1343. The historical background of these persons and events is therefore uncertain.
Place in the list of Balinese rulers
editIn the central Balinese templePura Besakih,the most important shrine is Pura Padharman Dalem Gelgel, which honours a series of six ancient Balinese kings. After Dewa Tegal Besung (often identified as Dalem Ketut), who is accorded ameru(tower-like structure) with 11 roofs, Dewa Samprangan follows with ameruwith 9 roofs, in turn followed by Dewa Enggong (Dalem Baturenggong) and three later kings.[6]Dalem Samprangan is also listed as king in the early religious textUsana Bali,as successor of Ken Angrok and predecessor of Dalem Baturenggong.[7]All this complicates the question of his original place in the succession of Balinese rulers.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^I Wayan Warna et al. (tr.),Babad Dalem. Teks dan Terjemahan.Dinas Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Daerah Tingkat I Bali.
- ^Margaret J. Wiener,Visible and invisible realms: Power, magic, and colonial conquest in Bali.Chicago & London: Chicago University Press 1995, p. 110.
- ^C.C. Berg,De middeljavaansche historische traditië.Santpoort: Mees 1927, pp. 123-4.
- ^Adrian Vickers, "Central Bali: Gianyar Regency", in Eric Oey (ed.),Bali: Island of the gods.Berkeley: Periplus, p. 113.
- ^http://vxu.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:206791/FULLTEXT01,p. 20.
- ^David Stuart-Fox,Pura Besakih: Tempel, religion and society in Bali.Leiden: KITLV Press 2002, p. 118.
- ^R. Friederich, "De Oesana Bali",Tijdschrift voor Neerland's Indië9-3 1847, p. 286.Ken Angrokis otherwise known as the founder king ofSinghasarionJava