Janggala

Janggala was a historical Hindu-Buddhist kingdom located in East Java, Indonesia. It is believed to have existed around the 11th century CE, flourishing concurrently with or shortly after the Kingdom of Kediri. The exact boundaries and duration of Janggala are subjects of scholarly debate, with its territory often considered to be in the northern coastal regions of East Java.

The name "Janggala" itself is thought to derive from the Javanese word for "jungle" or "forest," suggesting a region that was perhaps less developed or more frontier-like compared to other established kingdoms of the era. Historical accounts, primarily from inscriptions and the Kakawin Bharatayuddha, mention Janggala in the context of its rivalry and eventual merger with Kediri.

The most significant historical event associated with Janggala is its conflict with Kediri. According to tradition, the kingdom was divided by King Airlangga in 1045 CE into two smaller kingdoms, Janggala and Kediri, for his sons. This division was intended to prevent further conflict, but it ultimately led to a prolonged struggle for dominance between the two.

The eventual fate of Janggala is closely tied to Kediri. It is generally understood that Janggala was eventually absorbed by Kediri, either through military conquest or peaceful integration, though the precise timeline remains unclear. The legacy of Janggala, therefore, is often discussed in relation to the larger narrative of Kediri and the subsequent development of Javanese kingdoms. Archaeological evidence directly attributable to Janggala is relatively scarce, making scholarly reconstruction of its history challenging.