Kraton (Indonesia)

Kraton or keraton (Javanese: ꦏꦿꦠꦺꦴꦤ꧀ or ꦏꦼꦫꦠꦺꦴꦤ꧀) is a type of royal palace in Java, Indonesia. Its name is derived from the Javanese ka-ratu-an, meaning residence of the ratu, the traditional honorific title for a monarch. In Java, the palace of a prince is called pura or dalem, while the general word for palace is istana, identical to Malay.

Pendhapa (pavilion) in Kraton Yogyakarta
Kraton of the Sultan of Ternate
Pendhapa (pavilion) in Kraton Yogyakarta

Specific palaces

Pendhapa (pavilion) in Kraton Surakarta.
Pendhapa (pavilion) in Kraton Kasepuhan.

Kraton that function as the residence of a royal family include:

Yogyakarta (Jogja) region
Surakarta (Solo) region
Cirebon area

Historical palaces

The locations of former kraton have been determined by historical records or archaeological efforts. Former kraton include:

In Banten region there are remnants of the Sultanate of Banten's palaces:

  • Kraton Surosowan, Banten, former royal palace of Sultanate of Banten.[4]
  • Kraton Kaibon, the former palace of queen mother.[5]

In Surakarta and Yogyakarta region, there is the remnants of Sultanate of Mataram palaces:

  • Kota Gede remains of a palace from the 16th century.
  • Karta and Plered, there are remains of palaces from the 17th century.
  • Kraton Kartasura on the outskirt of Surakarta, remains of palace and city wall, also dated from 17th century.

Metonymic use

The term kraton 'palace' is also used as a way to refer to the court which it houses.

This is especially the case for native Indonesian states where the succession is disputed, giving issue to two or more branches of the dynasty, or even rivaling dynasties, each setting up an alternative court, while competing for the same state, but generally only controlling part of it.

An example is the West-Javan state of Cirebon, which was founded in 1478 and since 1662 was ruled from three Kraton (palaces):[6]

  • Kraton Kasepuhan, using as the ruler's style Sultan
  • Kraton Kanoman, style Sultan
  • Kraton Kacirebonan, style Sultan

See also

Notes

References

  • Miksic, John N. (general ed.), et al. (2006) Karaton Surakarta. A look into the court of Surakarta Hadiningrat, central Java (First published: 'By the will of His Serene Highness Paku Buwono XII'. Surakarta: Yayasan Pawiyatan Kabudayan Karaton Surakarta, 2004) Marshall Cavendish Editions Singapore ISBN 981-261-226-2

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