Kanjuruhan Kingdom Malang

In 8th century, Malang had been civilized of many people. Geograpicaly, East Java was included in Hindu's Mataram at Medang Kemulan, Semarang, Central Java as its capital. But, in the real life, Malang were not humble to Sanjaya's Dinasty or Syailendra's Dinasty as the rulers of Mataram
There were some independent territories in Malang that time. Such as, Kanjuruhan (Dinoyo Now), Karuman (Tlogo Mas) and also Singosari beside some other territories. Among them all, Kanjuruhan who had biggest number of civilians, around 2,000 people lived there
Good nature conditions and secure make Kanjuruhan growing bigger than ever from economic side. While they have some trading with another territories, they were also open trade route with Kediri and Mataram. Here then the Hindu Syiwa's effect involved Kanjuruhan
In some 760, the main conditions to build an own Independent government had been occupied by Kanjuruhan, such as:

Enough number of civilians
Good economic stability
Save of Security

based on those 3 conditions above, people of Kanjuruhan then choosed the one who considered as the powerful or the highest spirit capacity among them all to be their leader. Gajayana was the choosen one to be the King of Kanjuruhan

The King's position that time were not merely as the leader of governmentship, but also as the village representative for outer business, representative with the God's world and a shaman which people seek for the cure all kind of deceases. Similar conditions could be seen when Kutai Kartanegara's Kingdom, Taruma Negara also Kalingga were born
This new Kingdom were not considered as a threat by Mataram in Central Java. Proved by not any single battle happened by both Kanjuruhan and Mataram, when Sanjaya's Dinasty or Syailendra ruled
Even now Kanjuruhan Had became an Independent Kingdom, but the secure condition makes them had no intentions to build their military side, they more interested to build their “peaceful” side (Religion, Cultures and Economic)
In Karuman (now Tlogo Mas), that time had been civilized by a large number of people also. At 8th century, that territory were included of Kanjuruhan. So, the Kingdom's religion, Hindu Syiwa's were done there also. Proved by a site that convinced that there were Temple and Punden
The people wisdom's of nature had make them really concerned about water resources as life resources, that was all cause Karuman's site were build around water resources. They were also placed Lembu Nandi's statue and Linggas as the mark of wealthy nature resources and their worshipfulness to their Gods. These act were seen also at Sumberawan's temple on Singosari
A statement from Wuradung Relic, in the age of Mpu Sindok (929-947) had mentioned that there was a line of Heaven in Kanuruhan (By the time, name of Kanjuruhan transform into Kanuruhan). Convinced that the temple mentioned above were Karuman sites

Even Kanjuruhan Kingdom had been proclaimed under Gajayana, but unconsciousness of re-generation finally became a boomerang to this Kingdom. Soon after Gajayana passed away, Kanjuruhan could not find another replacement or successor for this Kingdom, this caused Kanjuruhan had became an ordinary colony
this anti climactic process were plenty in Indonesian Kingdom Ages. The common example was the legendary Maha Patih Gajah Mada who along his life was a most celebrated general ever after, the one who united countries under Majapahit bounce, but it was nothing since he passed just because he had no great successor. This process in the future we called “Gajah Mada Syndrome”
even its life was so short, but from culture eyes we can not avoid Kanjuruhan existence. At least 2 temples and 1 art had been given by this Kingdom

1.Badut Temple
2.Karuman Sites
3.Malang Mask Dance

Caused by the literature limit of people, the great stories of Kanjuruhan just passed down trough generation by oral account
By the ending of Kanjuruhan Kingdom as the Honored Gajayana were no mean ending of this civilizations. Karuman were still exist many centuries after, even Ken Arok, the first King of Singosari had ever been lived there. While Kanjuruhan stand still till now as one peaceful village
Passed down to you by : Aji MAFEC
wind_dam@yahoo.com