Prehistory of Bali As other region of the world
Bali also left the artifacts from prehistoric period.
Rough hand axes or stone adzes have been found in a
village of Sembiran, North Bali, and on the bank of
lake Batur. The finding in Bali was not associated with
physical remains of the master of the tools, yet the
finding in Java, at Sangiran river bed could be used
as contextual explanation of the finding in Bali. These stone adzes in Java were associated
with the skeletons of what is known as Java men or Pithecanthropus
Erectus. More advanced tools were found at Goa Selonding
on the hill of Pecatu on the foot of south Bali. These
tools are small sharp pointed animal bone such as pig,
deer, and animal horns, yet no human skeleton was found
associated with. The finding of these tools reminds
the similarity of the tools found at south Sulawesi
and Australia. Goa Selonding was formed by melting lime
stone which showing the melting forming stalactite and
stalagmites. Now the area is very high on a hill, and
barren, not a drop of water can be found. The remains
of aquatic animals are also found during the excavation
of local archaeological team. The area of Pecatu is
a mass of lime stone consist of plenty sea animal fossils.
So it was a great possibility that the area in the past
was a sea bed which experiencing up lift gradually,
as the hill is now more then 100 meters above sea level.
The site of this findings in south Sulawesi associated
with hand stamps on the cave wall such as found in south Africa.
More advance stone adzes were found spreaded over Bali,
but the findings were not in-site, mostly have been
kept by the people. This type of tools showing more
work to make the surface more smoother with one adze
is sharpened like axes, or more longer shaft. The tools
would suggest that the creator had known the land cultivation,
or at least were able to clear the land by cutting the
woods, which was probable that the people started to
settle at certain spot of land and gradually leaving
food collector and hunting period. Around 2.500 BC Bali
entered the period of bronze which remains were found
in the shape of bronze drum and small bronze axes, finger
rings, earings, bracelets and ring used on the leg.
These artefacts were found in a stone coffin of sarcophagus.
The finding of sarcophagus in Bali are spreaded in a
wide area, lowland as well as highland. On the shore
of Gilimanuk even the material associated with gold,
which proves that the relation between islands or even
with Asia mainland had occurred that time. This is also
proved by the shape of sarcophagus imitating a boat
which is common in Asia mainland. In Indonesia the distribution
of findings are in north Sulawesi, east Kalimantan, Sumba and
Sumbawa islands. Different way of burial found on the
shore of Gilimanuk using earthen jar. The dead is put
in a complete body including fragments of skeletons.
During the excavation it was found 100 adults and children
skeletons. the burial is estimated from bronze age culture
with the character of people bearing Malay - Mongoloid.
This method of burying the dead can be found in Japan,
Korea, Taiwan and the Philippine. At the same time with
this period of burial tradition various megalithic tradition
seemed also developed in Bali. The remains of this
can be found at various places, such as menhirs at Trunyan,
Sembiran, Tenganan Kedaton and others. The adoration
of goddess of rice and fertility or Venus
seems also developed during this time, a finding now
still preserved at Pura Penataran Jero Agung Gelgel
showing the woman private body.
Bali 882 - 1343 AD Bali entered writing period
with the finding of various inscriptions at the village
around Batur lakes, clay tablets and votive stupas near
the village of Pejeng. From the writings it was clear
that around the year of 800 AD the influence of Hindu
and Buddhist have reached Bali.
The writing type is showing a modification of
ancient Javanese, and many similarities of Thai scripts,
beside the type of Pallawa script from India also used.
An inscription carved on a stone silinder found at now
Sanur, mentioned for the first time the name of Bali
Dwipa. this inscription was made in 913 AD. A clear
record in political history of Bali started 882 AD with
the appearance of a dynasty that ruled Bali named "
Warma Dewa ". The first king mentioned was Sri Kesari
Warmadewa ( ca. 913 AD ), 915 - 942 AD found Sang Ratu
Sri Ugrasena known to ruled Bali, and changed by Chandrabhaya
Singha Warmadewa ( 960 AD ), then sit on the throne
the most famous king of Bali Dharmodayana Warmadewa
( 989 - 1001 AD ). During the rule of Udayana that art,
social and spiritual of Bali developed, a strong influence
of Hindu Java entered the stage of Bali. The most important
events during this period are the changes of ancient
Bali language into old Javanese language to be used
in all written documents issued by the king, and the use
of Javanese calendar with modular of 210 days. With
the use of Hindu Javanese calendar a great changes must
started on the schedule of temple ceremonies from every
365 days into 210 days. King Marakata took the throne
between 1001 - 1049 AD, a little data on this king was
found, but it is supposed that Marakata was one of Udayana's
son. Anak Wungsu ( 1049 - 1077 AD ), he was the longest
ruler on Bali, with the indication that the kingdom
was going in a peaceful and stable condition for long
time. He was the king commemorated at the temple of
Gunung Kawi the ancient rock cut temple that we can
still see until now. In between 1001 and 1010 appeared
a king named Sri Wala Prabu. It is strange that
a king was appear during he rule of Marakata. It was
possible that the period between 1001 to 1049 were ruling
2 king. Walaprabu ( 1001 - 1010 AD ) and Marakata (
1010 - 1049 ) The period is still to long and between
1010 - 1049 a possibility of other king on throne is
possible until new data can be found. Next king was
Sri Sakalendukirana ( 1080 - 1100 AD ) known from only
2 inscriptions, Sri Suradipa ( 1115 - 1119 AD ). Sri
Jaya Sakti ( 1133 - 1150 ), Jayapangus ( 1177 - 1181
), and the last Balinese king Sri Astasura Ratna Bumi
Banten ( 1337 - 1343 AD ). In the ancient writing his
majesty is pictured as a figure full of controversy
such as good and bad of the Balinese, anti - religion
and others. Yet controversy writing is probably written
by new ruler below.
Bali 1343 - 1846 The year of 1343 is the start
of the kingdom of Nusantara or Indonesia. The kingdom
of Majapahit in East Java united Indonesia archipelago
including Bali. Majapahit sent new ruler to Bali which
is known as Kepakisan Dynasty. Dalem Ketut Sri Kresna
Kepakisan ( 1350 - 1380 ) is the first king of Bali
under Majapahit with the center of administration at
Samprangan now the city of Gianyar. But his successor Dalem Ketut Ngulesir
( 1380 - 1460 ) moved the capital of the kingdom to
Gelgel ( near current Klungkung town ). Among this dynasty,
Dalem Watu Renggong ( 1460 - 1550 ) is the most famous
ruler. As Udayana's great name, Watur Renggong is kown
to have annexed Blambangan ( East Java ), and Lombok.
Various works of arts, temples, and writings were created
during his rule. Watu Renggong succeeded by his oldest
son who was said still to young and need custody of 5
assistants. He was Dalem Bekung ( 1550 - 1580 ). During
his rule 2 big clashes happened almost put the kingdom
in great troubles. Following the dead of Dalem Bekung
he was succeeded by his younger brother Dalem Segening
( 1500 - 1605 ). The areas of Gelgel beyond Bali such
as Blambangan, Pasuruan, Sumbawa under danger of other
kingdoms of Bone and Makassar, yet for a while the king could overcome the
danger although the influence of Bali gradually decreasing.
He was succeeded by his son Pemayun with the name of
Dalem Di Made ( 1605 - 1686 ). During his rule Bali
lost Pasuruan, Blambangan and Sumbawa. Pasuruan and
Blambangan annexed by Mataram ( Islam sultanate ), under
the rule of Sultan Agung, while Sumbawa taken over by
Makassar. In 1620 VOC traders started to visit Bali
and with their good diplomacy, they were hosted well
in the palace. During the rule of Dalem Di Made internally
arose conflict with his ex. minister which caused the
fall of the throne to I Gusti Agung Made. Yet king children
were saved and protected in secret place. With the help
of vassals which still loyal to the king took up the
throne from I Gusti Agung Made and enthroned one of
Dalem Di Made's Son, I Dewa Agung Jambe ( 1710 - 1775
). He moved the capital of the kingdom to Semarapura,
now Klungkung city. The king is known to have built
beautiful water garden such as Taman Ujung, Tirta Gangga,
and the floating palace at Kerta Gosha which can be
visited during Besakih
Tour or any other tour to east Bali During his
rule Klungkung lost Buleleng, Mengwi, and Karangsem.
Even the vassal such as Blambangan was taken over by
Mengwi, Lombok by Karangasem, and Sumbawa again taken
by Karangasem. During 2 consecutive rulers Dewa Agung
Di Made I ( 1775 - 1825 ) and Dewa Agung Dimade II (
1835 - 1870 ) the kingdom had broken into 10 kingdoms
each strived over to extend their influence over Bali and beyond.
Bali 1846 - 1949 Various emissaries from Dutch
Trade Association had visited Bali since 1601 yet the
palace did not allow them to make any trade agreement
with Bali. Only 1830 British trade King & Co opened
their branch in Bali, and 1839 Dutch shipping company
open a service in Kuta, and Mads J. Lange also opened
his trade office in Kuta. With the opening of these
trade base the Dutch started to launch attack on Bali,
started from North Bali in 1845, yet the war continued
until 1849 and the last resistance of Jagaraga fall
to the Dutch in 19 April 1849. 12 May 1849 the Dutch
launch attack to Klungkung, but the commander Michels
was shot and dead. The attack then cancelled. In 1904,
a Chinese ship was trapped by the sea sand, the people
of Sanur tried to assist the ship by relocating the
cargo, but the Chinese owner of the ship reported to
the Dutch in Surabaya that his ship was rubbed. So the
Dutch had the reason to attack Badung which led to the
war called " Puputan " Badung in 20 September 1906.
The fall of Badung then followed by Pupulan Klungkung
in 28 April 1908. With the fall of Klungkung, Bali practically
under the control of Dutch until independence of 1945.
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