Kasunanan

Kasunanan is a Javanese term meaning "kingdom" or "royal court," used to denote the sovereignty and institutions of specific royal houses in Central Java. It is most closely associated with Kasunanan Surakarta, the royal court of the Surakarta Sunanate, part of Indonesia’s Javanese heritage.

Historically, the concept of Kasunanan gained prominence in the 18th century during the fragmentation of the Mataram Sultanate following the Treaty of Giyanti in 1755. The division produced two principal realms in central Java: Kasunanan Surakarta and Kasultanan Yogyakarta. Each had its own rulers and court institutions, with the ruler of Surakarta bearing the title Susuhunan.

Today, the Kasunanan Surakarta is centered at the Kraton Surakarta, the royal palace in Surakarta (Solo). While political authority in Indonesia rests with the republic, the Kasunanan functions as a ceremonial and cultural institution. The court maintains traditional ceremonies, preserves archives, and supports the patronage of Javanese arts such as gamelan, dance, wayang, and crafts, contributing to the preservation of regional identity and heritage.

The term Kasunanan remains in use in historical and cultural references and appears in the names of institutions and places associated with the Surakarta royal court. It reflects the enduring role of monarchy within Indonesian cultural heritage and the continued significance of Javanese court traditions in modern society.