The Exoctic of Kotagede - Yogyakarta

THE EXOTIC OF KOTAGEDE

Kota Gede is the area located in the region as part of Bantul in Yogyakarta Province. Kotagede is a very exotic tourist attractions, has a history that is not inevitable from the social and cultural influence, or values or spiritual tradition that developed from ancient times until today.

HISTORY

In the 8th century, Mataram area (now called Yogya) is a center of Hindu Mataram Kingdom which controlled the whole island of Java. The kingdom was extraordinary prospered and civilizes and able to build temples, like Prambanan and Borobudur Temple. But in the 10th century, the kingdom somehow moves the central government region to the East Java. People leaving in droves Mataram and this area are slowly returning to dense forest.

Six centuries later the island of Java under the authority of the Sultanate Pajang based in Central Java. Hadiwijaya ruling Sultan was presented Alas Mentaok (base = forest) wide to Ki Gede archery for its success in conquering the kingdom’s enemy. Ki Gede Pemanahan and his family and most of his loyal followers then moved to Mentaok Alas, a forest that is actually the first former Hindu kingdom of Mataram.

The small village founded in the woods Ki Gede Pemanahan began its prosperous. After the death of Ki Gede Pemanahan, he was succeeded by his son, who’s titled Senapati Ingalaga. Under the wise leadership of Senapati village grew into an increasingly crowded and the city prospered, until It’s called Kotagede (= large city). Senapati and then build a fort in (cepuri) that surrounds the palace and citadel outside (baluwarti) surrounding the urban area of ± 200 ha. Outer side of the second fort was also equipped with a wide moat like river.

Meanwhile, the Sultanate Pajang occurred the seizure of the throne of after Sultan Hadiwijaya died. The crown prince named Prince Benawa removed by Arya Pangiri. Prince Benawa then asked for assistance because the government Senapati Aryan Pangiri judged unfairly and detrimental to the people of Pajang. War ensued. Arya Pangiri successfully conquered but his life spared by the Senapati. Benawa Prince then offered the throne to Senapati Pajang whom declined gently. Prince Benawa died a year later but he had ordered that Pajang led by Senapati. Since then, Senapati became the first king of Mataram Islam Panembahan as his title. He did not want to wear the title of Sultan for the respect to Prince Sultan Hadiwijaya Benawa. Government palace is located in Kota Gede.

Furthermore Panembahan Senapati expands Islamic Mataram kingdom's territory up to the Pati, Madiun, Kediri and Pasuruan. Senapati Panembahan died in 1601 and was buried near the tomb of his father in Kotagede. Islamic Mataram Kingdom and then controlled almost the entire island of Java (except Banten and Batavia) and reached the peak of its power under the leadership of the three kings, namely Sultan Agung (the grandson of Panembahan Senapati). In 1613, Sultan Agung's moved to the center of the kingdom Karta (near Plered) and ended the era of Kotagede as a center of Islamic Mataram kingdom.