The history of East Java is full of prominent
culture-heroes, with whom every Indonesian school child is familiar. Streets in major
Javanese cities invariably bear the names of famous historical figures, such as
Kertanagara, Gajah Mada and Dharmawangsa. One of the earliest and most important Javanese
king, about whom anything is known, was Airlangga, who ruled over Java and Bali in the
11th century. During his reign, Airlangga succeeded in uniting his kingdom and established
strong cultural contacts further afield. Literature flourished and some of the major works
of classical Javanese poetry were composed during this period. Not much is left in the way
of temple remains, although there are a number of ancient bathing places, man- made cave
hermitages and royal tombs to be found. Among them are the caves Selomangleng I and 11,
located near Kediri and Tulungagung respectively, the bathing places of Jolotundo and
Belahan on Mt Penanggungan, as well as the royal tombs of Gunung Kawi, which are carved
into a cliff face at Tampaksiring in Bali. These latter are said to have been built for
Airlangga's younger brother and his family, who continued to rule in Bali following
Airlangga's death |